Persian Beef And Couscous Recipes

GREEK COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Pour the chicken broth and water into a saucepan, stir in the garlic, and bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous, cover the pan, and remove from heat. Allow the couscous to stand until all the water has been absorbed, about 5 minutes; fluff with a fork. Allow the couscous to cool to warm temperature.
• In a large serving bowl, lightly toss the couscous, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and garbanzo beans. Mix the oregano, black pepper, white wine vinegar, and lemon juice in a small bowl, and pour over the couscous mixture. Toss again to serve.

PERSIAN BEEF KEBABS

Steps:

• Trim any excess fat from the steaks, cut into 1-inch cubes, and place in a large nonreactive bowl.
• Place onion, garlic, lime juice, salt, pepper, and saffron or cumin, in a food processor and process until smooth. Pour mixture over meat, toss to coat, cover and marinate 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.
• When ready to cook, heat grill to medium heat (350 degrees F) and oil well. Thread meat on skewers, leaving at least 1/2-inch space between each piece of meat. In a small bowl and the tomatoes, drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat thoroughly. Place meat and tomatoes on grill. Cook meat, turning once, until charred and medium-rare, about 7 to 10 minutes. Cook tomatoes, turning rarely, until blistered and soft, about 10 minutes.
• Remove meat from skewers and have guests assemble their own sandwiches with meat, tomatoes, lavash, yogurt, and cilantro.

PERSIAN BEEF AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat oil on medium high.
• Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper and brown in oil for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add stock and cinnamon, bring to boil.
• Reduce heat, and simmer for 1 hour.
• Stir in onions, squash or sweet potato, vinegar, and honey, bring back to a boil Lower heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until meat and vegetables are tender.
• Meanwhile, cook couscous in another pot.
• Add prunes and chick peas to stew, cover, and heat just until mixture returns to a boil (about 2 minutes).
• Serve stew over couscous.

GHEYMEH (PERSIAN BEEF STEW)

Steps:

• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in onion. Cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add stew meat, split peas, limes, tomato paste, salt, curry powder, turmeric, and pepper. Add just enough water to fully cover the surface of the mixture. Cover and simmer until split peas are tender and meat is cooked through and no longer pink in the center, 2 to 3 hours.
• Just before the stew is ready, heat 2 inches oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Slice potatoes into 2-inch long, thin pieces and lower carefully into the hot oil in batches. Fry until soft, 4 to 5 minutes per batch. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
• Increase the heat so the oil is 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Fry potatoes again, until golden and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes per batch. Remove from the oil and drain on fresh paper towels.
• Pour stew into bowls and place potatoes on the surface.

ADD A LITTLE INTEREST WITH PERSIAN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Stir the couscous, stock powder, sugar and grated orange rind, together in a bowl.
• Add the boiling water, cover, and leave to stand for 6 minutes.
• Heat the nuts and currants in the butter or oil in a small frying pan, until the nuts brown lightly, and the currants puff up.
• Add the chopped apricots.
• Stir the hot nuts and fruit through the couscous.
• Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature, adding the finely chopped spring onions and coriander just before serving.