North African Bean Stew With Barley And Winter Squash Recipes

NORTH AFRICAN BEAN STEW WITH BARLEY AND WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil and cook leeks until they begin to brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Finely chop cilantro stems. Stir into pot, along with diced fennel and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in baharat, cinnamon and tomato paste, and cook until paste begins to caramelize, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in broth, 3 cups water, the barley and the salt. Bring to a gentle boil, stir in saffron, if using, and reduce heat to medium. Simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Stir in beans, squash, turnip and lentils; cook until barley is tender, about another 20 to 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings, if desired. Remove cinnamon stick.
• Ladle stew into bowls. Spoon a dollop of yogurt on top and drizzle with olive oil. Garnish with cilantro leaves, fennel fronds and Aleppo pepper or paprika.

NORTH AFRICAN BEAN STEW WITH BARLEY (OR FARRO) AND WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• Finely chop cilantro stems. Stir into pot, along with diced fennel and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in baharat, cinnamon and tomato paste, and cook until paste begins to caramelize, about 2 minutes. Stir in broth, 3 cups water, the barley and the salt. Bring to a gentle boil, stir in saffron, if using, and reduce heat to medium. Simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Stir in beans, squash, turnip and lentils; cook until barley is tender, about another 20 to 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings, if desired. Remove cinnamon stick. Ladle stew into bowls. Spoon a dollop of yogurt on top and drizzle with olive oil. Garnish with cilantro leaves, fennel fronds and Aleppo pepper or paprika. Tip Baharat is a Middle Eastern spice mix. You can buy it at specialty markets or make your own. To make it, combine 2 tablespoons sweet paprika, 1 tablespoon ground coriander, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon ground turmeric, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom and 1 teaspoon allspice.

NORTH AFRICAN BEAN AND SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Drain the soaked chick peas and set aside. Tie half the cilantro sprigs into a bundle with the dried red chili, and chop the rest. Set aside the chopped cilantro.
• Heat the oil in a large bean pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onions and carrots. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes, and add 1/2 teaspoon salt, the garlic, paprika, and turmeric. Stir together for about a minute, until fragrant, and add the tomatoes, and their juice. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down somewhat and the mixture is fragrant. Add the beans and water and bring to a boil. Add the cilantro bundle, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Add the squash, a generous amount of salt, and the harissa or cayenne, and continue to simmer for another hour. Taste and adjust salt. Add the vermicelli and simmer until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove the cilantro bundle. Stir in the remaining cilantro and the mint, adjust salt and serve. Garnish with lemon wedges.

BEAN AND BARLEY STEW

Steps:

• Soak dry pinto beans in plenty of water overnight. Drain and rinse the beans.
• Soak pearled barley in plenty of water overnight. Drain and rinse the barley. Cook al dente in a double amount of water. Drain and set aside.
• In a large pot sauté onions and garlic in sunflower oil for 5 minutes until soft, stirring frequently. Add diced smoked pork neck, stir and sauté for 5 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, make a mirepoix (soffritto or Holy trinity) from carrot, celery and parsley root and red horn pepper: cut the root vegetables into smaller pieces and coarsely chop in a blender. Add horn pepper chunks and pulse once or twice.
• Add mirepoix to onions and smoked meat, stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Add beans, bay and celery leaf, water, and salt and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat, cover the pot and continue to cook for 25 - 30 minutes.
• Stir in cooked barley, continue to cook for 5 minutes or until the beans are cooked (al dente).
• Season with ground black pepper and serve.

NORTH AFRICAN BEEF-AND-CARROT STEW WITH MINT

Steps:

• Season sirloin with salt and pepper. Heat a large, wide shallow pan over medium-high heat. Swirl in 1 tablespoon oil, add steak in a single layer, and cook, turning a few times, until browned and medium-rare, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan and cook vegetables, stirring occasionally, until onion is golden in places, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add spices and cook until fragrant, 15 seconds. Add broth; bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until carrots are crisp-tender, about 10 minutes. Return sirloin and any accumulated juices to pan; cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper; sprinkle with mint. Serve over couscous.