Persian Pomegranate & Walnut Stew (Fesenjan)
Discover a masterclass in flavor balance with this iconic Persian stew, featuring a rich, velvety sauce made from ground walnuts and tangy pomegranate molasses. This week's pick offers an exciting journey of sweet, sour, and nutty notes that transform a simple dinner into a gourmet feast.
In short
Persian Pomegranate & Walnut Stew (Fesenjan) takes about 60 minutes (15 min prep, 45 min cooking), serves 4 and needs 10 ingredients.
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs, skinless and boneless800 g
- Walnuts, raw250 g
- Yellow onion, finely chopped1 pc
- Pomegranate molasses150 ml
- Chicken stock400 ml
- Sugar2 tbsp
- Ground cinnamon0.5 tsp
- Basmati rice300 g
- Fresh pomegranate seeds3 tbsp
- Butter2 tbsp
Instructions
- 1
Toast the walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 5 minutes until fragrant. Let them cool, then grind them in a food processor until they reach a fine, sand-like consistency or a thick paste.
- 2
Heat some oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Brown the chicken thighs on both sides until golden. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- 3
In the same pot, melt the butter and sauté the chopped onion until translucent and golden brown, about 8 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses, chicken stock, sugar, and cinnamon. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
- 5
Add the chicken back into the pot. Cover and simmer on low heat for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the walnuts from sticking, until the sauce has thickened and turned a deep chocolate brown.
- 6
Prepare the basmati rice according to package instructions. Serve the rich stew over the fluffy rice and garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds for a burst of color and acidity.
Questions and answers
How long does Persian Pomegranate & Walnut Stew (Fesenjan) take?
About 60 minutes in total: 15 minutes prep and 45 minutes cooking.
How many servings does it make?
The recipe serves 4.
What ingredients do I need?
You need 10 ingredients: Chicken thighs, skinless and boneless, Walnuts, raw, Yellow onion, finely chopped, Pomegranate molasses, Chicken stock, Sugar …. With Veloop you can add them all to your shopping list.
