Im so into stews. All winter long I used my instant pot to make veggie and meat stews like crazy. They’re just so dang cozy. So many stews remind me so much of my Tayta. She used to make stews all winter long too.
Of course the best part, is that I get to use my favorite kitchen appliance — the Instant Pot.
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Turning up the cozy level here with Crockpot Lentil Lamb Stew and a side of couscous. Anyone else trying to hibernate this winter? I sure am. Something about not as many sun hours and cold weather makes me want to cozy up with my favorite blanket and Netflix. Netflix is a blessing and a curse. Why? For one, I love being able to watch shows without commercial interruptions. I’m also the type of person that loses interest in a show if I have to wait an entire week for the next episode. My dreams have come true because now I can watch entire seasons. Yes, I know, welcome to 2018. The negative? I usually watch entire seasons in one sitting. And without commercials, I don’t really do much else, other than binge on whatever latest and greatest series I’ve decided to commit to. I know I’m not the only one who gets the dreaded “Are you still watching?” notice on the screen. Yes, I’m still here, 4pm, in the same PJs I had on since last night snacking and watching. Thanks for the reminder that I’ve accomplished next to nothing today. (more…)
I always feel an immense sense of accomplishment when I make Arabic food and it tastes like my mom’s cooking. Likely because Arabic food only tastes good when my mom or tayta make it, in my personal opinion. So when I realized we had some fresh okra hanging out in the fridge, I decided to try a very well known Arabic dish; Bamiya. Bamiya is basically okra stew.
Don’t let the okra deter you. Most people don’t like it because it can get pretty slimy. But if you prepare the okra properly, I promise you a slime-free meal. (more…)
Since I was a kid, I remember weeknight meals at our household consisting of a variation of stews with a side of white rice. Since my mom worked full time, it was easiest for her to just through together one of these super easy stews, simmer while she helped us with our homework, and end up with a delicious, healthy meals.
I never understood how kids don’t like vegetables. For us, these stews consist of primarily vegetables and sometimes beef or lamb. Vegetables were delicious. It wasn’t until late elementary school that I realized I had been eating okra, green beans, peas, eggplant, zucchini and spinach and loving it. I can’t say the same for kids these days- they cringe at the thought of broccoli.
I had a couple packages of frozen spinach and stew meat that needed to be used up.
I’ve been having a serious issue with rice – it’s always either overcooked or undercooked. I’m not really sure what’s going on. I followed my grandmother’s recipe exactly. I guess I’ll just have to keep practicing.
Sabanekh w Roz [Spinach and Rice Stew]
Ingredients
3 10 oz. packages of Frozen Chopped Spinach 1 lb. cubed Beef Stew Meat 1 medium Onion, chopped 3 tbsp. Olive Oil Sea Salt Nutmeg Cinnamon Allspice Lemon Juice, to taste 5 cups of waterFor rice: 1 cup Jasmine Rice, 1 ½ cups Water 20-30 minutes.
Directions
Heat olive oil and sauté onion until brown. Add the meat and brown. Add water and spices to taste. I didn’t specify the spice measurements since I didn’t really measure them. Boil until the meat is tender, then add the spinach. Once it boils, add lemon juice and summer for 25 minutes.For the rice: Add 1 ½ cups water to 1 cup jasmine rice, once it boils, turn to low, cover and cook for 30 minutes. [I suggest you start the rice as the spinach is simmering so that they’re done at about the same time].
Servings: 6
Nutrition Information [without rice]: Cals 181. Carbs 9g. Fat 4g. Protein 20g. Sodium 272mg. Sugar 2g.
