🍽️Stew

Persian Lentil Stew with Sour Plums (Khoresht-e Adas)

Name: Persian Lentil Stew with Sour Plums (Khoresht-e Adas)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Stew
Ingredients: 2 cups lentils, rinsed; 2 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 cup dried sour plums; 1 teaspoon spicy seasoning (curry); 2 medium onions, finely chopped; 1 tablespoon oil; Salt and black pepper, to taste

"Experience the soul-warming magic of Iran with this vibrant, tangy-sweet lentil masterpiece that proves plant-based dining can be incredibly bold and sophisticated."

Prep:15 min

Cook:45 min

LevelMedium

Analyzing...

● Ingredients

2 cups lentils, rinsed
2 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup dried sour plums
1 teaspoon spicy seasoning (curry)
2 medium onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste

🌱 Vegan🌱 Gluten-Free🌱 Plant-Based🌱 High-Fiber🌱 Dairy-Free⚡ Medium

❤️Health92%

😋Taste88%

🥳Joy85%

👨‍🍳Difficulty30/100

📜 The Story

Khoresht-e Adas is a quintessential Persian comfort food that exemplifies the 'mizaj' (temperament) of Iranian cuisine by balancing earthy legumes with tart fruits. The use of dried sour plums, or 'Alou', is a centuries-old Persian technique used to provide a bright acidity that cuts through the richness of slow-cooked stews.

🧬 Flavor DNA

🍋Sour

8/10

🧂Salty

5/10

🌶️Spicy

3/10

🍯Sweet

4/10

🍄umami

6/10

☕Bitter

1/10

✨ Sensory Profile

"A fragrant cloud of warm earthiness and sharp citrus notes rises from the pot, while the texture is a luxurious contrast between velvety, creamed lentils and the chewy, mouth-puckering burst of rehydrated sour plums."

Chef's Mastery

💡

The Secret

To elevate the flavor, bloom your tomato paste and spices in the oil for 2 minutes before adding them to the pot to unlock fat-soluble aromatics.

⚠️

Avoid This

Using old lentils can result in uneven cooking; if your lentils aren't softening, add a pinch of baking soda to the water to help break down their skins.

❄️

Storage

This stew tastes even better the next day; store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Instructions

Combine the lentils and finely chopped onions in a medium pot. Cover with water by about 2 inches, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the lentils begin to soften.

Stir in the tomato paste, sliced potatoes, spicy seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well so the tomato paste dissolves evenly into the broth.

Add the dried sour plums and oil. Continue cooking over medium-low heat until the potatoes are tender and the stew thickens to a rich, spoon-coating consistency.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with steamed rice or warm bread.