Can I make this dish vegan?

You can certainly make this dish vegan by skipping step 2.

u003cstrongu003eDo you need to thaw frozen peas before cooking?u003c/strongu003e

No. You can add the frozen peas directly to the pan and saute with oil.

Do I have to use fresh tomato juice?

No, you can use frozen or any other ready-made.

Peas Stew (Bazella) Recipe

Name: Pea Stew (bazella)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 small chopped onion; 1 pound, chunks minced or ground lamb or beef; A pinch of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg for the meat; 3 tablespoons neutral oil (divided); 1 pound (about 2 cups) of fresh or frozen peas; 2 carrots chopped (optional), fresh or frozen.; 3 cups fresh tomato sauce (about 4 medium size ripe tomatoes) blended with 1/2 cup of water.; 1 tablespoon tomato paste.; 1 teaspoon allspice.; 1 teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste).

Description

This peas stew recipe or also known as bazella w riz in Arabic or bazella stew is a hearty warm comfort dish consisting of peas cooked with meat in tomato sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

1 small chopped onion
1 pound, chunks minced or ground lamb or beef
A pinch of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg for the meat
3 tablespoons neutral oil (divided)
1 pound (about 2 cups) of fresh or frozen peas
2 carrots chopped (optional), fresh or frozen.
3 cups fresh tomato sauce (about 4 medium size ripe tomatoes) blended with 1/2 cup of water.
1 tablespoon tomato paste.
1 teaspoon allspice.
1 teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste).

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Instructions

In a pot heat oil and sauté one small chopped onion over medium-high heat until golden brown.
Add meat over sauteed onios, 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, heat oil over medium-high then add carrots and peas, sauté for about 7 minutes, or until lightly softened.
Bring vegetables over cooked meat, and integrate everything well together.
Pour tomato sauce over the mix, then add salt and allspice.
Mix tomato paste with 1/2 cup of hot water to liquidate, then add over mix.
Stir everything well together and let it simmer uncovered on low heat for about 15-20 minutes.

Notes

Make sure to saute vegetables for about 5-7 minutes or until soften before adding tomato juice.
If using fresh vegetables, carrots take longer to cook than peas so make sure to saute them for up to 7 minutes before adding peas.
It's best to avoid cooking this dish with sweet peas, preferably use any other regular peas that are not sweet.
If you use lamb chunks I recommend cooking them in a pressure cooker, as they take longer to cook in a regular pot.