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Mouth-watering and Hearty Fasoulia Stew

Zahra Abdalla
  • March 30, 2023
  • 5 from 1 vote

Fasoulia Stew is a mouth-watering and hearty Middle Eastern dish that is sure to satisfy your taste buds and leave you feeling completely satisfied. Whenever I make Fasoulia, the aroma of the spices cooking in the pot fills my home with a sense of comfort and familiarity.

I love experimenting with different variations of this dish, but my favourite has to be the one made with tender lamb or beef cubes and white beans, simmered in a blend of aromatic spices. And when I serve it with Calrose Rice with Vermicelli Noodles, or some crusty bread, it’s a meal that never fails to bring a smile to my face.

Fasoulia is a beloved dish across the Middle East, and for good reason – it’s the perfect choice for a family meal or dinner party, as it can easily be scaled up to feed a crowd. And even if you’re new to cooking or unfamiliar with Middle Eastern cuisine, this recipe is simple and easy to follow.

So why not try making Fasoulia at home and experience the deliciousness for yourself? Trust me, once you’ve tasted it, you’ll understand why this dish has been a favourite in my family for generations, and why it’s sure to become a staple in your own home.

Fasoulia Stew

Basic Ingredients for Fasoulia Stew

Fasoulia Stew:

Dry White Beans: The main ingredient for fasoulia, a type of bean with a creamy texture when cooked.

Baking Soda: Used to help soften the beans during the soaking process.

Vegetable Oil: Used for cooking lamb or beef and onions.

Bay Leaf: A herb that adds flavour and aroma to the stew.

Cinnamon Stick: Another spice used to add flavor to the stew.

Red Onions: Chopped and cooked to add flavor to the stew.

Red chili: Finely chopped and added for heat and spiciness.

Garlic: Minced and added to enhance the flavour of the stew.

Ground Coriander: A spice that adds warmth and depth of flavor to the stew.

Ground Cardamom: A spice that adds a floral and citrusy flavor to the stew.

Turmeric powder: A spice that gives the stew its yellow colour.

7 spice: A Middle Eastern blend that adds a complex flavour to the stew.

Tomato Paste: Adds a rich tomato flavour and helps thicken the stew.

Diced Tomatoes or Fresh Tomatoes: Used to add a bright and fresh flavor to the stew.

Lemon Juice: Adds a tangy and bright flavor to the stew.

Salt and Pepper: Used for seasoning the stew.

Olive Oil: Used for making the salsa verde.

Garlic Cloves: Minced and added to the salsa verde for flavour.

Coriander: Finely chopped and added to the salsa verde for freshness and flavour.

Salt: Used for seasoning the salsa verde.

alternative ingredients

  • Instead of dry white beans, you can use canned white beans or any other canned or dried beans, such as kidney beans, black beans, or chickpeas.
  • For the spices, you can adjust the amounts or use different ones based on your preference. For example, you can use cumin, paprika, or chilli powder instead of coriander or cardamom.
  • Instead of tomato paste and canned tomatoes, you can use fresh tomatoes or tomato sauce.
  • You can use parsley or mint instead of coriander or omit the herbs for the topping. You can also use garlic powder instead of minced garlic.

Preparation Tips for Fasoulia Stew

  • Soak the beans overnight in water with a pinch of baking soda to help soften them and reduce cooking time.
  • Use a large pot for cooking the beans and meat together. Brown the beef in vegetable oil before adding the onions and spices to develop a rich and flavorful base.
  • Use a pressure cooker for cooking the beans and meat until tender for a quicker cooking time. This can significantly reduce cooking time.
  • If using fresh tomatoes, blanch them in boiling water for a few seconds before peeling and chopping them. This will make it easier to remove the skin and ensure a smoother texture.
  • For the salsa verde topping, mix the minced garlic, chopped coriander, olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Adjust the salt and lemon juice to your taste preference.
  • When ready to serve, ladle the Fasoolia into bowls and top with a generous spoonful of salsa verde. This will add a fresh and zesty flavor to the dish.
  • Allow the Fasoolia to cool slightly before serving to avoid burning your tongue. Enjoy with some crusty bread or over a bed of fluffy rice.

Serving Tips for Fasoulia Stew

  • Fasoulia with salsa verde tastes best when served hot. Make sure to reheat the dish before serving if necessary.
  • Serve the Salsa Verde on the side.
  • Serve with a side of rice or bread to soak up the flavourful sauce.
  • Serve with a dollop of plain yoghurt on top to balance out the spice and add a creamy element.
  • Serve with lemon wedges on the side so that your guests can add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the dish as desired.

storage tips

  • To store Fasoolia with salsa verde, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a pot over low heat until it is heated through.
  • It is not recommended to freeze dishes with fresh herbs like the salsa verde, but you can freeze the Fasoolia without the salsa verde for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Fasoulia Stew (Full Video)

Fasoulia Stew

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 ½ cups dry white beans
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 3-4 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 700 g lamb or beef, cut into cubes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 large red onions, chopped
  • 1 red chilli, remove seeds and finely chopped
  • 3 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp ground coriander
  • ½ ground cardamom 
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp 7 spice
  • 4 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes or 8 whole fresh tomatoes
  • lemon juice , to taste
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Coriander Topping

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 8-10 small cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-2 bunches coriander, finely chopped
  • pinch salt

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add the white beans and enough water to cover the beans completely. Add the baking soda, and soak overnight. Drain and rinse the beans thoroughly to eliminate any traces of baking soda.
  • In a large cast iron pot, heat the vegetable oil on high heat and sauté chopped onion, minced garlic, cinnamon stick and bay leaf; sauté until they have softened and have a translucent colour.
  • Add the lamb/beef cubes and fry until fully browned, seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • Add the beans, tomato paste, coriander powder, 7-spice, turmeric powder, and cardamom, and mix well in the same pot. Let this cook for a minute, then add the chopped tomatoes and enough water to cover the meat by an inch or so.
  • Bring the liquid to a boil. Cover the pot, reduce to medium heat and allow to cook for at least 90 minutes or until the meat has softened.
  • Heat the olive oil in a skillet to make the topping, then add the crushed garlic, finely chopped coriander, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium-high heat, constantly stirring, until the garlic has started to grow and the herbs have wilted. Add this garlic coriander mixture to the stew and stir to combine it evenly throughout.
  • Serve with Calrose and vermicelli rice.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cookingwithzahra on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingwithzahra so we can see all the deliciousness!

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Comments

  • Yasmin

    5 stars
    Absolutely perfect!

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