Armenian Vegetable Stew Recipes

ARMENIAN LAMB AND GRILLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• For the lamb and vegetables: Thread the eggplant slices onto 2 parallel skewers, piercing through the skin to stabilize the slices flat. Thread the zucchini slices the same way on 2 more skewers. Thread the onion slices the same way, piercing through the widest part of the slices. Finally, thread the tomatoes the same way, piercing though their equators with the stem sides facing up.
• Place skewers on a sheet tray and drizzle and season all sides with olive oil, 1 teaspoon zaatar, salt and pepper.
• Drizzle both sides of each lamb chop with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and remaining tablespoon zaatar.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan for cooking over medium-high heat and heat a wide, heavy-bottomed braiser or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil. Sear the lamb chops in the braiser for 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted through the center of the meat (avoid bone) reads 135 degrees F. Cover with foil and let rest while you grill the vegetables.
• Grill the eggplant and zucchini skewers, flipping once, until they have grill marks and are slightly tender, 3 to 5 minutes total. Meanwhile, grill the onion skewers, flipping once, until slightly charred and tender, 7 to 8 minutes total. Grill the tomatoes, flipping once, until they just start to burst and release their juices, 5 to 6 minutes total.
• For Herb Sauce: Stir together the olive oil, vinegar, dill, mint, parsley, garlic, serrano and shallot in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Remove the vegetables from the skewers to a serving platter or bowl. Place the lamb chops on a second platter and drizzle with the herb sauce and any juice left behind in the pan.

TRADITIONAL ARMENIAN GOMGUSH

Steps:

• Combine basil, cilantro, parsley, and thyme in a bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons in a bowl and refrigerate. Place 1/2 of the herb mixture in the bottom of a large soup pot. Add 1/2 the tomatoes, 1/2 the bell peppers, and the potatoes in layers. Top with lamb and season with cumin, mint, salt, and black pepper. Add eggplant, carrots, remaining tomatoes, remaining bell peppers, and remaining herb mixture. Pour in beer.
• Cover the pot with a lid and cook over medium heat about 1 hour. Add onions and garlic. Season with salt if necessary and cook 2 hours more. Garnish with reserved 2 tablespoons herb mixture and serve hot.

KHASHLAMA RECIPE

Steps:

• After preparing all the above ingredients, cut the lamb's leg into small cubes (about 1"). Wash and set the meat aside. Peel the onions and chop them into half ring slices. Wash the peppers, then remove the stems and seeds inside. Wash fresh herbs and peel garlic. Then measure spices and seasoning for the dish.
• Prepare a slow cooker, lay the onion slices on the bottom of the pot insert. In the center place the whole garlic head. Then add cloves, peppercorns, half of the dried herbs and vegetables. Don't forget to tip in the spices too.
• Add the whole fresh herbs and arrange them in order to cover the vegetables. Then arrange the meat (lamb's leg already cut into cubes) on top. You can choose to serve the lamb meat with or without bones. Season the ingredients, then tip in the rest of the spices and herbs.
• Place the tomatoes on top of the meat. Pour in water to fill the pan until it comes to the top of the lamb meat.
• Cook Khashlama at high temperature for 1-1.5 hours. After bringing to boil, cook for 5 more hours with a low temperature. Remember to keep the lid on while cooking.
• Serve on a plate, while vegetables and meat are still hot and stir the broth in a small bowl. Discard the bay leaf and herbs. As for the lamb t-bones, you can use a fork or a spoon to separate the meat easily from the bones. This dish comes with fresh herbs and regional flat bread.

ARMENIAN VEGETABLE STEW

Steps:

• Cook eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, apple, onion, and garlic in oil in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 40 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with juice, okra, tomato paste, salt, and pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until stew is slightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Cool, uncovered, and serve warm or at room temperature. Stir in parsley and salt to taste just before serving.

ARMENIAN VEGETABLE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. Chop all vegetables except zucchini and place in a covered casserole or dutch oven. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
• Cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours.
• Add the zucchini and mix gently. Leave uncovered and cook for 20 - 30 minutes more.
• Serve over rice or with a delicious crusty bread, and top with a dollop of yogurt, if you like. Leftovers are even better the next day.

ARMENIAN PUMPKIN STEW

Steps:

• Combine coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin and clove in a spice mill or coffee grinder. Grind until smooth. Set aside. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large, heavy-bottom saucepan. Add the lamb in one layer. Sprinkle with the spice mixture. Sear over medium heat until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove lamb from pan and set aside.
• Add the onion and garlic to the pan. Saute, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, celery root, tomatoes and acorn squash. Add the broth. Return lamb to pan. Partly cover and gently simmer until the lamb is tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Season with the salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the pumpkin on a baking sheet. Brush the outside with the remaining oil. Bake until tender, about 45 to 60 minutes. Cook the rice according to package directions. Set aside.
• To assemble, place the pumpkin in a serving dish. Fill with the lamb stew. Divide the rice among 4 warmed bowls. Ladle the stew from the pumpkin over the rice. Garnish with coriander and parsley. Serve immediately.