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Lebanese Lamb and Bean Stew

A bowl of stew with chunks of shredded lamb and white beans topped with herbs plus a side of white rice in the corner.
Photo by Romulo Yanes

Cinnamon, clove, cumin, and other spices perfume your house as this cooks.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    10 1/2 hr (includes soaking beans)

  • Yield

    Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

1

lb dried navy beans, picked over and rinsed

2

lb boneless lamb shoulder or boneless leg of lamb, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes

1

tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baharat* or 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick

9

cups water

2

tablespoons olive oil

2

medium onions, chopped

4

garlic cloves, finely chopped

2

teaspoons salt

3

/4 teaspoon black pepper

3

tablespoons tomato paste

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cover beans with cold water by 3 inches in a bowl and soak at room temperature at least 8 hours. Drain well in a colander.

    Step 2

    Bring lamb, baharat, and water (9 cups) to a boil in a 6- to 8-quart heavy pot, then vigorously simmer mixture, covered, until meat is almost tender, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. Add beans and cook, uncovered, until beans are tender, about 1 hour more. Meanwhile, heat oil over moderate heat in a 12-inch heavy skillet until hot but not smoking, then cook onions, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, stirring, until onions are pale golden and tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. When beans are tender, stir in tomato-onion mixture and simmer until just heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.

  2. Step 3

    *A Middle Easterna and African ground-spice mixture that typically contains allspice, cinnamon, clove, cumin, Maras chile, and black pepper. Available at Middle Eastern markets and Formaggio Kitchen (888-212-3224; formaggiokitchen.com).