Gheimeh is a popular Iranian stew made with split peas, lamb or beef, and garnished with homemade fries. It includes yellow peas, dried limes, onions, potatoes, and tomato paste, and is seasoned with turmeric, paprika, or cinnamon. French fries are made by thinly slicing and frying potatoes.
Gheimeh is a type of Iranian split pea stew that often includes lamb or beef. Usually served with plain white rice, gheimeh is also garnished with homemade fries. Also called khoresht gheimeh, this stew is considered a popular dish in Persian cuisine.
Yellow peas are always included in gheimeh. The peas are soaked for a few hours before cooking. Additionally, lamb is the usual meat added to this stew, although beef can also be used. Veal is also a meat option but is rarely added. Alternatively, the meat element can be omitted altogether.
Dried limes are almost always included in gheimeh. Lime juice can be substituted if dried limes are not available, but the authentic dish will include real limes. Occasionally, recipes may suggest using dried lemons instead.
Onions, potatoes and tomato paste are also essential ingredients. The potatoes are cut into long thin strips and fried to make french fries. Pureed or crushed tomatoes can be substituted for pasta.
Relatively few spices are added to gheimeh. Turmeric, other than salt and pepper, may be the only spice included in some versions. Sometimes paprika or cinnamon is also added. Occasionally, saffron might be used in place of turmeric.
To prepare the gheime, the onions are fried in oil, then the meat, cut into pieces, is browned in the same pan. Subsequently, water is added and the meat is left to simmer for about an hour. Once simmering is complete, limes, peas, and tomato paste are added, along with any spices. If lime juice is used instead of limes, it is included at the end of the cooking process. Some recipes will also add dried limes, or lemons, at the end.
Alternatively, the peas can be cooked before adding to the stew. For cooking separately, peas are boiled in water until they begin to become soft. When the peas are cooked first, they are only added towards the end of the cooking process, after the meat is tender. The stew is then cooked long enough for it to thicken.
Making homemade french fries is a fairly simple process. The potatoes are peeled and then thinly sliced before being added to a large pot filled with hot cooking oil. Once browned and crispy, the chips are removed from the oil and allowed to drain on a paper towel. Once the stew is complete and cooked in individual bowls, the chips are placed on top for garnish.
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