Description
Cauliflower stew, or Yakhny Zahra, is a classic Palestinian comfort dish made with tender lamb (or beef), cauliflower grilled florets, and warm spices, all simmered together and served over vermiceilli rice.
Ingredients
- lb (450 g) lamb or beef stew meat, cut into chunks
- 1 medium size cauliflower
- About 1/8 teaspoon (a pinch) of allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg, used to flavor the meat.
- 4-5 cups water (enough to fill half of a pressure cooker or pot)
- 1 sweet onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice powder
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh lemon juice, for serving
Instructions
Preparing the Cauliflower
- Wash and rinse the cauliflower. Using a sharp knife, separate it into florets.
- Drizzle with olive oil, then season with salt and cumin.
- Spread evenly on a baking sheet.Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and roast the cauliflower for 45–60 minutes, or until golden brown, flipping as needed.
Alternatively, you can deep-fry the florets or cook them in an air fryer.
Preparing the Meat
- Wash and rinse the lamb pieces, then season with allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a pressure cooker or large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat and add the lamb. Sauté for 1–2 minutes per side, until lightly browned.
- Pour in enough hot water to fill the pot halfway. Seal the pressure cooker and bring to a boil over high heat. Once it starts boiling you'll hear the steam release, let cook for 30–35 minutes.
- Pressure cooker note: When the cooking time is up, turn off the heat and allow the pressure to release naturally (about 15–20 minutes). Never open a pressure cooker while it is still pressurized.
Putting It All Together
- In another pot, combine the roasted cauliflower, cooked meat, 1–2 cups of the meat broth, salt, and allspice.
- Bring to a boil, cover and let it cook for about 3 minutes.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil or butter. Add the chopped onions and garlic, and sauté until golden brown.
- Pour golden brown onions and garlic mixture over the cauliflower and meat while the later is still cooking, stir gently to integrate everything together, then cook for another 2 minutes,
- Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon and a side of rice.
Notes
- You may end up with extra broth. Freeze it for other recipes, or save some for reheating leftovers.
- Adjust the thickness: Add more broth if you like a soupier stew, or simmer uncovered to thicken.
- Don’t forget to squeeze fresh lemon juice over the stew right before serving. The lemon adds brightness and gives this dish an extra layer of flavor.
- When grilling the cauliflower florets, they don’t need to be fully soft, as they will continue cooking in the dish