Feed Me That! : Khoresht Bamieh (Beef & Okra Saute)

Home	search for in

Title: Khoresht Bamieh (Beef & Okra Saute)
Categories: Beef Israel Jewish Persian
Yield: 8 Servings

1 1/2 lb Boneless beef chuck, cut into 2-in cubes

1/2 lb Beef bones (opt but helpful)

2 md (1 c) onions, sliced

2 tb Corn oil

1/4 ts Ground turmeric

1/4 ts Pepper

1 ts Salt, or to taste

3 c Water

1 c Fresh or canned tomatoes, chopped

3 Dried limes (limoo amoni, see NOTE) opened, powdered, and se

1 tb Lemon juice

1 c Yellow split peas, cover w/water for 2 hrs & drained

1/2 lb Fresh okra, 1/8-in trimmed off each end

Okra is a very popular vegetable but requires special care in cooking so that it does not disintegrate into a mush. The beef saute and it's seasonings, especially unique flavor of dried lime, enhances the okra's unconventional flavor.

1. Put meat, bones, and onions into a large pan and stir-fry without oil over low heat for 10 mins. This will evaporate the moisture so meat can be browned. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and stir-fry for 10 mins more, which will brown meat and onions. Add the turmeric, pepper, and salt during this process.

2. Add water, bring to a boil, cover pan, and cook over low heat for 1/2 hr to tenderize meat. Add tomatoes and continue to cook for 1/2 hr more. Add powdered lime, lemon juice, and yellow split peas. Cook for 15 mins.

3. Put remaining 1 tb oil in a skillet and stir-fry okra over moderate heat for 5 mins. Add okra to meat pan when peas become soft but not mushy. Cook everything together for 10 mins more. Serve warm w/any kind of Persian rice.

NOTE: LIMOO AMONI: The blacken dried lime abt size of a golf ball is an indispensable flavoring in Persian meat dishes. It can used whole, in which case lime flavor is released but food is not discolored. At other times, it is crushed and sprinkled as ground spices are used, providing an intense citrus flavor. I have seen acres of lime, which is similar to Key lime of Florida, drying in hot sun in Guatemala as they desiccate & change color from gold/green to black. Sometimes available in Arabian markets.

previous next

1 1/2	lb	Boneless beef chuck, cut into 2-in cubes
1/2	lb	Beef bones (opt but helpful)
2	md	(1 c) onions, sliced
2	tb	Corn oil
1/4	ts	Ground turmeric
1/4	ts	Pepper
1	ts	Salt, or to taste
3	c	Water
1	c	Fresh or canned tomatoes, chopped
3		Dried limes (limoo amoni, see NOTE) opened, powdered, and se
1	tb	Lemon juice
1	c	Yellow split peas, cover w/water for 2 hrs & drained
1/2	lb	Fresh okra, 1/8-in trimmed off each end