- Recipe and images courtesy of Omid Roustaei – The Caspian Chef
[aesop_content color=”#ffffff” background=”#0892d0″ columns=”1″ position=”none” imgrepeat=”no-repeat” disable_bgshading=”off” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”up” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off” aesop-generator-content=”“ While everything about this dish appears striking and eye-catching, it is a relatively easy and simple Persian stew. This Khoresh is consumed primarily in the summer season when fresh peaches are abundant in Iran. The chicken first simmers slowly in a saffron broth, along with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a touch of sweetness. Then, fresh but not overly ripe peaches are lightly caramelized with a touch of oil and placed on top of the chicken for the last few minutes of cooking. Each cook choreographs the dance of sour and sweet flavors to suit their family’s taste preferences. While the peaches are the focal point of this stew, a fair amount of good quality saffron makes this dish shine and come to life!”
“]“ While everything about this dish appears striking and eye-catching, it is a relatively easy and simple Persian stew. This Khoresh is consumed primarily in the summer season when fresh peaches are abundant in Iran.
The chicken first simmers slowly in a saffron broth, along with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a touch of sweetness. Then, fresh but not overly ripe peaches are lightly caramelized with a touch of oil and placed on top of the chicken for the last few minutes of cooking.
Each cook choreographs the dance of sour and sweet flavors to suit their family’s taste preferences.
While the peaches are the focal point of this stew, a fair amount of good quality saffron makes this dish shine and come to life!”
[/aesop_content]
PREP TIME
15 mins
COOK TIME
2 hrs
INGREDIENTS
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or ghee, divided
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon turmeric, ground
- 4 pieces chicken breasts and thighs, skin and bone on
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, ground
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
- 1 fresh lime, juiced, adjust to your taste
- 2 tablespoons sugar, adjust to your taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground saffron, dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water
- 2 sprigs fresh mint, for garnish
Peaches
- 4 peaches, stoned but not peeled, and cut into 1/2 inch slices. Less ripe peaches preferred
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or ghee
INSTRUCTIONS
- Saute the onions in 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot for 15 minutes over medium flame. Add the turmeric and saute for an additional 5 minutes until the onions have turned golden in color. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and saute the chicken pieces over medium-high heat until lightly colored, about 6-8 minutes total. Be sure to flip the chicken once.
- Add the sauted onions back to the pot along with one cup of hot water. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 60 minutes.
- In the meantime, saute the sliced peaches in the oil or ghee for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they have become gently caramelized. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- After the chicken has cooked for 60 minutes, add the remaining stew ingredients, cover and cook over low heat for 20 minutes. Adjust the liquid as necessary, keeping in mind the stew should not be too watery at the end.
- Gently place the peaches on top of the stew, cover and cook for another 10 minutes.
- Place the stew in a serving bowl. Take extra care to not disturb the peach pieces and decoratively arrange them on top of the chicken pieces. Garnish with mint.
- Serve with Persian steamed basmati rice.
NOTES:
Chicken can be replaced with beef or lamb, be sure to increase the water and cooking time.
