Persian Celery Stew - Meat Optional

Celery: A Nutrient-Rich Powerhouse for Health and Flavor

Celery is a nutrient-packed vegetable with numerous health benefits. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, celery is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and potential to support heart health. Its high water content contributes to hydration, while its fiber aids digestion.

Additionally, celery is a low-calorie snack and may help regulate blood pressure. Embrace this versatile and crunchy vegetable to enhance both your culinary experiences and overall well-being.

Start with a Persian stew that seamlessly incorporates this nutrient-rich vegetable. Join us on a journey where health meets taste, as we explore the perfect harmony of benefits and flavors in Khoresh Karafs

Khoresh Karafs at a Glance

Khoresh Karafs, a traditional Persian dish, is a delightful blend of flavors and textures that will surely captivate your taste buds. This dish is primarily made with celery (karafs in Persian), hence the name.

The main ingredients for Khoresh Karafs include fresh celery, parsley, and mint. These are sautéed to create a flavorful base. What sets this dish apart is the unique combination of spices.

Turmeric and dried limes are commonly used, giving the dish its distinctive tangy flavor. The addition of beans, usually kidney beans or black-eyed peas, adds a hearty element to the dish. Variations include meat, typically lamb or beef, which are first cooked separately. Then, they’re combined and simmered with the spices and dried limes until all the flavors meld together. The result is a rich, aromatic stew that’s typically served over steamed basmati rice.

Four Convenient Recipes Tailored to Your Tastes

Explore four convenient recipe options tailored to your preferences:

Quick-Cooked With Beans or Fried Meat

Quick-cooked with beans
Quick-cooked with fried meat*
Quick-cooked with a combination of beans and fried meat*

Go to the recipe.

Slow-cooked perfection with meat*

Go to the recipe.

Select your preferred meat option (* beef, lamb, or chicken) and savor the ease and variety of these flavorful dish.

Persian Khoresh Karafs - Quick With Beans or Fried Meat

SpiceBreeze

Khoresh Karafs, a traditional Persian dish, is a delightful blend of flavors and textures that will surely captivate your taste buds. It is primarily made with fresh celery (karafs in Persian), parsley, and mint. What sets this dish apart is the unique combination of spices. Turmeric and dried limes give the dish its distinctive tangy flavor.

The addition of beans or meat adds a hearty element to the dish. They are simmered with the spices until all the flavors meld together. The result is a rich, aromatic stew that's typically served over steamed basmati rice.

Alternatively, refer to the recipe for the slow-cooked meat version below.

hands-on time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Persian

Servings

Ingredients

Protein

1 can red kidney beans ^{[1] [2]} (15 oz), rinsed

Fresh Produce

1 medium onion finely chopped
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
4-6 stalks celery ^[3] sliced
1/2 bunch parsley finely chopped

Packaged Goods/Staples

2 cups broth vegetable, chicken, or beef
oil
salt & pepper

Culinary Spice Kit

Turmeric, Omani limes, mint, black pepper

Suggested Side

Cooked or steamed rice (basmati)

Instructions

Step 1 - Fry Vegetables

In a medium POT, heat 2 tbsp oil.
Fry onion and garlic over low-medium heat until translucent.
Be cautious of splatters; add celery, fry for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add parsley, mix well, continue frying until most moisture is lost and it turns brown. Stir frequently, avoiding herb burning.

Step 2 - Cook Beans and Vegetables

Add beans ^[2], broth, Khoresh Karafs spices, and salt & pepper to taste. Mix well, cover, and cook for 20 minutes over medium-low heat.
Stir occasionally, and add a little bit of water if necessary.

Optional Step 3: Fry Meat [2]

Season meat with salt & pepper to taste. In a PAN, heat oil and fry meat quickly over high heat to your desired doneness. Add meat to the finished stew.

Serve

Serve Khoresh Karafs with rice. Enjoy!

Notes

[1] Substitute kidney beans with black-eyed peas or cranberry beans.

[2] Optional: 1/2 lb sirloin beef, lamb filet or chicken, cut into 1/4 inch strips.

Option 1 - With Beans:
- Add the meat to the beans-vegetable stew.
Option 2 - Without Beans:
- Omit the beans from the stew. Add the meat to the vegetable stew.

[3] If you don't like celery, substitute it with leek. It will be a different experience, but still authentic. See also the recipe for the Persian herb stew Ghormeh Sabzi.