Khoreshte Fesenjan Walnut-Pomegranate Stew

4h
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Dice 2 medium onions and make a fine paste out of both dates and walnuts.
  2. 2Grind a pinch of saffron then let it steep in 1/4 cup water.
  3. 3Sauté onions with a generous pinch of salt and 1 teaspoon of turmeric on medium-high heat until translucent.
  4. 4Add the walnut paste and sauté until the walnut oils start to leach out.
  5. 5Then add the pomegranate molasses and date paste.
  6. 6Let that chill out for a bit then add the saffron juice and cover it all in 4 cups of water.
  7. 7Season with a generous pinch of salt.
  8. 8Bring to a boil then simmer for at least 2 hours.
  9. 9Now with like 15 minutes to go, season and sear some chicken legs to get some color.
  10. 10Then add them to the stew.
  11. 11Don't forget those brown bits at the bottom.
  12. 12Cover and simmer for another hour until the chicken is cooked through and the stew is thick enough to cover the back of a spoon.
  13. 13Serve and garnish with parsley.

Ingredients

  • 2 med onions
  • 4 dates
  • 11 oz walnuts
  • 1 pinch saffron
  • 0.25 c water
  • generous pinch salt
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 0.25 c pomegranate molasses
  • 4 c water
  • chicken legs
  • parsley

Equipment

knifechopping boardfood processormortar and pestlepanwooden spoontongsstrainerfoil

Tips

  • This dish is one of my all time faves. It's sweet and rich but balanced from the sourness of the pomegranate. It's a labor of love but well worth it.
  • Don't forget those brown bits at the bottom.