Persian Celery Sauce Khoreshe Karafs Recipes

KHORESH KARAFS (PERSIAN CELERY STEW WITH LAMB)

Steps:

• Trim or break off thicker parts of the parsley stems and pull mint sprigs and larger leaves from their stems. Discard stems or reserve for another use. Pluck a small handful of leaves and tender sprigs from parsley and mint and set aside for garnish. Chop remaining herbs.
• In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat 1/4 cup oil over medium-high. Season lamb with turmeric, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add lamb, onion and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions start to caramelize and lamb is evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Add 2 cups water, cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes.
• While the lamb simmers, cook the celery: In a skillet, heat the remaining 1/4 cup oil with the butter over medium-high. Once butter foams, add celery, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Add chopped parsley and mint, and cook, stirring occasionally, until celery just starts to caramelize, about 8 minutes.
• Add celery and herbs to the Dutch oven, along with lemon juice, lime juice and saffron. Cover, leaving lid slightly ajar, and simmer on low heat until lamb is tender, about 30 minutes.
• While stew cooks, make the fried shallots, if desired: Line a small plate with a paper towel. In a small bowl, sprinkle flour over sliced shallots and toss with a fork. Heat canola oil in a small saucepan or skillet over medium-high until it shimmers slightly, about 1 minute. Fry shallots in oil, flipping once or twice so they cook evenly, until golden brown and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from oil with a fork, season with a pinch of salt and let drain on paper towel-lined plate until stew is ready.
• Taste stew. Broth should be tart, but balanced. Celery and lamb should be tender but hold their shape. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Garnish with reserved herbs and fried shallots. Serve with chelo (Persian-style steamed rice) or buttered, steamed white rice. Stew can be made up to 2 days in advance.

PERSIAN CELERY STEW WITH MUSHROOMS (KHORESH-E KARAFS)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed pot over high heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the celery, onion, garlic, and jalapeño and sauté for 10 minutes. Add the salt and pepper, and give it a stir.
• Add the water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes.
• Add the saffron, lime juice, parsley, mint, and fenugreek, and give it a stir. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for another 5 minutes or until the celery is tender.
• Adjust seasoning to taste and keep warm until ready to serve.

PERSIAN CELERY SAUCE (KHORESHE KARAFS)

Steps:

• Melt 1/4 cup butter in a stockpot over medium heat. Add beef, onion, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and pepper; cook and stir until meat is evenly browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Add water, cover, and cook until meat is tender, about 30 minutes.
• Heat olive oil and remaining butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add lima beans, celery, fennel, parsley, and lemon juice; cook and stir until lima beans have softened, about 15 minutes. Stir lima bean mixture into beef mixture; reduce heat to low and cook until thickened, adding water as needed, about 20 minutes.