Iraqi Beef and Chickpea Stew - Tashreeb

beef

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork

Chicken is leaner, while pork is often less expensive.

chickpeas

🥗Healthier: lentils

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Lentils are high in protein, while canned beans are usually cheaper.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil has health benefits, while canola is often more affordable.

chicken broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water + bouillon

Vegetable broth is lower in calories, while bouillon is a cost-effective alternative.

Set a medium pot of water and submerge bone-in shanks. Boil until impurities rise. Skim impurities from the top with a fine mesh strainer. Once scum is no longer rising to the top and the water is relatively clear, remove shanks and season with seven spice mixture, salt, and pepper.

Meanwhile, cut onions, shallot, and garlic and gently peel outer layers leaving halves intact. Cube the beef chuck into large cubes, trimming away fat as needed, about two inches in size each. Pat dry with paper towels. Salt all pieces of meat and season with seven spice mixture.

Place all onions, garlic, beef, and beef shanks onto a wire rack lined pan. Brush veggies with oil, season, and broil for 5-10 minutes until all sides are browned and charred a bit all over.

Heat a large pot over medium high and add 1 TBS of olive oil. Once heated, add all broiled veggies and meat to the pot. Deglaze with 1/4 cup of wine and let evaporate until almost gone. Add bay leaves and poke small holes in the dried lime, adding it to the pot. Add roughly 5 cups of water or enough water to almost cover completely. Simmer on medium for 20-25 minutes.

Once simmered, remove garlic peelings from the pot, returning as much garlic as you want to the pot. Rinse chickpeas and add to the pot. Simmer another 10-15 minutes until meat is tender.

Reduce heat to low and add juice of half a lemon. Stir to combine.

In a bowl, layer a hearty bread such as Na'an or even a baguette. White rice can also be used. Add stew and garnish with freshly chopped scallions, parsley, cilantro, and sliced jalapeno or green chili pepper.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: