Yakhni bazela يخني بازيلا or pea stew, is a hearty warm comfort dish, that kids love. It’s very easy to make especially if you have all ingredients in your freezer.
Palestinian cuisine is full of numerous stews. A stews consist of different kinds of vegetables mixed with meat. Check out my cauliflower stew. The Arabic word for a stew is yakhni. Stew is a dish of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in liquid in a closed dish or pan . All yakhnis are often served with plain or vermicelli rice (ruz bil sh’iryeh). Stews and soups use the same base here you can find out the difference Soup vs Stew.
My late dad used to plant bazela the Arabic word for peas in our backyard. when ready to be picked and unshelled in late spring-early summer, which is the season for fresh bazela. Peas prepared and packed and frozen to last throughout the winter.
Nowadays frozen peas are available at all times of the year. It’s best to avoid cooking this dish with sweet peas which are popular in the US. Preferably use any other regular peas that are not sweet.
Here is how to make pea stew
Start by cooking the meat, either lamb or beef. Any type of meat can work well with this dish. You can either use ground, minced, or chunks of meat. I like to use minced or ground, which also doesn’t take much time to cook.
In a pot heat oil and sauté one small chopped onion until caramelized. Then add meat, spices and salt. Continue sautéing until the meat is more browed and fully cooked.
Meanwhile, in a separate pot, start by adding chopped fresh carrots with some oil, sauté for 7 minutes as carrots take longer to cook than peas, then add frozen peas. The addition of carrots can give the dish an extra beautiful color. Continue Sautéing for a few minutes until vegetables are softened.
Pour vegetables over meat and integrate well together, then pour in tomatoes sauce, I like to use fresh tomatoes, then stir in about one tablespoon of tomato paste, add salt and allspice. Let it simmer uncovered on low heat for 15-20 minutes.
Pea Stew (yakhni bazela) يخني بازيلا
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: Stewing
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Description
Yakhni bazela يخني بازيلا or pea stew, is a hearty warm comfort dish, that kids love. It’s very easy to make especially if you have all ingredients in your freezer.
Ingredients
- 1 small chopped onion
- 1/2 pound mince or ground lamb or beef
- A pinch of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg for the meat
- 3 tablespoons oil (divided)
- 1 pound (about 2 cups) frozen peas
- 2 carrots chopped (optional), fresh or frozen.
- 3 cups fresh tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomatoes paste
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a pot heat oil and sauté one small chopped onion until caramelized, then add meat, add spices and salt. Integrate everything well together and continue sautéing until the meat is more brownish and fully cooked.
- Meanwhile, in a separate pot, add oil with chopped fresh carrots, sauté for 7 minutes, or until lightly softened then add frozen peas.
- Integrate everything together and continue Sautéing for another 5 minutes.
- Pour vegetables over meat and integrate everything well together, then pour tomato sauce over the mix, and stir in about one tablespoon of tomato paste. Then add salt and allspice.
- Let it simmer uncovered on low heat for about 15-20 minutes.
Notes
Served hot with rice.
Keywords: stew, yakhni bazela, pea stew
Such a wonderful dish and recipe, brings back beautiful memories from winter in the Middle East.