Vegan Fesenjan

January 11, 2024

Recipe and images courtesy of Vandana Chauhan

[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=”Vegan Fesenjan is a delicious plant-based version of the famous Persian dish Fesenjan, also known as Fesenjoon. This hearty stew has a rich walnut-based gravy which has a very unique flavor.

“]Vegan Fesenjan is a delicious plant-based version of the famous Persian dish Fesenjan, also known as Fesenjoon.

This hearty stew has a rich walnut-based gravy which has a very unique flavor.

[/aesop_content]

Ingredients notes

Soya chunk: It’s a by-product of soybean oil. It’s sold in dried form and is easily available in Indian grocery stores and online too.
Vegetable bouillon cube: Instead of bouillon cube, vegetable stock can also be used.
Pomegranate molasses: It’s a thick sweet and sour syrup made with pomegranate juice and sugar. This molasses is used in a lot of Middle Eastern recipes.

[aesop_image img=”https://kayhanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_2323.jpg” panorama=”off” credit=”KL./” align=”center” lightbox=”on” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]

Directions:

Steps 1 and 2: Put walnut kernels into a grinding jar and make a fine powder.

Step 3: Put the walnut powder in a cooking pot.

Step 4: Dry roast on low flame for 3-4 minutes or until the walnut powder starts releasing oil. Keep stirring in between.

Step 5: Add water to the roasted walnuts and let it boil.

Step 6: Once the water starts boiling, add vegetable bouillon, pomegranate molasses, salt, pepper, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon.

Step 7: Mix everything and cook covered for about an hour. Keep checking and stirring in between.

Step 8: After about an hour of cooking, the stew will become slightly thicker and get a rich brown color.

Step 9: While the walnut stew was getting cooked, soak the soya chunks in boiling water for 10-15 minutes.

Step 10: Heat oil in a separate cooking pot and add chopped onion.

Step 11: Cook until the onion starts turning brown. Add turmeric powder and saute for a few seconds.

Step 12: Add chopped potatoes and cook for 4-5 minutes. Keep stirring in between.