• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

 logo

  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Sides
    • Soup
    • Main Meals
    • Healthy
    • Dessert
    • Drinks
  • Eating Out
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
    • Must Have Kitchen Tools
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Vegetarian Fesenjan

Apr 29, 2019 · 4 Comments

Jump to Recipe

A traditional comforting Irani stew, with warming spices and tangy pomegranate molasses, thickened with walnut meal. Typically made with chicken, this vegetarian fesenjan by Minimalist Baker is completely vegan, made with lentils instead. You won’t miss the meat! Super easy and lots of exotic flavors to push you out of your comfort zone. A curry or stew is the perfect way to explore vegan cuisine and still get a hearty and delicious meal.

What is fesenjan?

According to Thomasina Mier’s, who put it better than I ever could: “Richly sweet, subtly sour, with a satisfying depth of flavour from ground walnuts: fesenjan is a tempting Persian stew traditionally eaten during the winter solstice. ” Typically prepared with poultry- chicken or duck-but can also be made with lamb meatballs. Clearly, this recipe shows it can also be made without any meat at all. The spices and the flavor and thickness from the walnut meal and pomegranate carry more than enough weight to make up for any missing meat. The lentils are a great vehicle to carry all this flavor forwards.

Pomegranate Molasses- Explain.

Basically an intensely reduced pomegranate juice. It has a very distinctive tangy and lip smacking flavor. I love this! We especially use it a lot in Palestinian/Levantine cuisine. Where can you find it? In the Middle East, at any supermarket. In the US, at specialty Middle Eastern stores, or follow the instructions here to make your own with pomegranate juice

The Process:

You’ll toast walnuts by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet in a hot oven (180C or 350F) for 10 minutes or until light golden brown and fragrant. You let them cool, then process them into a meal. In a pan on the stovetop, you’ll sauté an onion with some salt and pepper, then pourin some vegetable broth, the lentils and cook the lentils until just tender. In goes some pomegranate molasses, spices, and maple syrup and the dish simmers for about 10 minutes or until thickened. So easy and hands off!

Vegan Fesenjan in a saucepan

Serve with:

Rice of choice, and garnish with some fresh pomegranate seeds for a beautiful color and juicy crunch. Top with some minced parsley and enjoy! This is best eaten fresh but can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen for up to a month.

Vegetarian Fesenjan

A vegan version using lentils of a traditional Iranian stew made with pomegranate molasses and ground walnuts. So rich in flavor and super healthy!
Print Pin
Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keyword: vegan, healthy, lentil, vegetarian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 5 people
Calories: 435kcal
Author: Farah Abumaizar

Ingredients

  • 1 cup toasted walnuts (Toast raw walnuts in a 180C (350F) oven for 10 minutes)
  • 3 tbsp pomegranate molasses more or less to taste
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup rinsed brown or green lentils
  • 1-2 tbsp maple syrup or coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Jasmine rice or rice of choice or serving
  • Pomegranate seeds for topping
  • Parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Process the toasted walnuts once cooled in a food processor until a fine meal forms.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and once hot add the diced onion, the salt and pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until onion is soft and cooked through.
  • Add the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer, then add the lentils. Cook uncovered for 20 minutes or until lentils are just tender. Add more broth or water while cooking as needed to keep the lentils submerged.
  • Once lentils have just cooked through, add the walnut meal, pomegranate molasses, maple syrup, turmeric, cumin and cinnamon. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer, then lower heat and let simmer for 10 minutes until thickened and fragrant.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper or additional spices or pomegranate molasses if needed. If too thick, you can add more vegetable broth or water.
  • Garnish with pomegranate seeds and parsley and serve over rice.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Minimalist Baker.
Keeps well covered tightly for 3-4 days in the fridge, or can be frozen for up to 1 month.
Tried this recipe?Mention @everylittlecrumb or tag #everylittlecrumb!

Nutrition

Calories: 435kcal

Healthy, Main Meals, Recipes lentil, pomegranate, vegan, vegetarian

Previous Post: « Chicken Cobb Salad
Next Post: Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alison Brown says

    February 9, 2020 at 7:51 pm

    Really tasty – but the recipe doesn’t say (when) to add the ground toasted walnuts!! I just put them in with the spices and it was fine.

    Reply
    • Farah Abumaizar says

      February 11, 2020 at 12:18 pm

      How did I miss that! Thanks so much for pointing it out, and you did good hehe! I’m glad you enjoyed it <3!

      Reply
      • Julia says

        February 26, 2020 at 1:29 pm

        Farah says to add the walnut meal in 4 X

        Reply
        • Farah Abumaizar says

          February 27, 2020 at 10:35 am

          Thanks for that Julia!

          Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Get more stuff

Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.

Thank you for subscribing.

Something went wrong.

we respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously

FeedFeed

Featured Recipes

Tamriyeh

Nescafe Cake

Berries and Cream Sara Lee Cake

Kebab Karaz

Eggplant Fatteh

More

Footer

everylittlecrumb

Farah Abu Maizar | Food Lover
You have to know, if I post a chicken recipe it me You have to know, if I post a chicken recipe it means it’s reaaaaaally good. This copy cat Halal guys chicken and rice is unbelievable dish! I got the turmeric rice recipe from @seriouseats and its buttery and perfectly spiced and fluffy and addictive, topped with juicy grilled spiced chicken cubes and a tangy, creamy dressing, tomatoes and parsley. AMAZING! Recipe below and in the @tamimimarkets catalogue❤️.

INGREDIENTS:

For the chicken marinade:
900 g chicken breasts
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp white vinegar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp oregano powder
1 tsp seven spices
1/2 tsp ginger powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp paprika powder

For the white sauce:
3/4 cup Greek yogurt 170g (6oz)
1/2 cup mayonnaise 115 g
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp water
1 tsp lemon juice
1-2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

For the rice:
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp cumin powder
1 1/2 cups basmati rice, soaked for 20 minutes then rinsed
2 1/2 cups chicken stock or 1 stock cube dissolved in 2.5 cups hot water
salt and pepper to taste, a pinch of each

To assemble:
1 chopped tomato
handful chopped parsley
sriracha sauce

INSTRUCTIONS: 
For the chicken:
In a bowl, mix all the ingredients for chicken marinade. Add chicken breast and toss to coat evenly. Cover and marinade for 1-2 hours.

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet on medium high heat, and cook chicken for 5-6 min each side, or until golden brown and cooked.
Remove chicken to a cutting board, and rest for 10 minutes, before chopping roughly into 2 inch cubes.

For the white sauce:
Mix all ingredients and store in the fridge until ready to serve.

For the rice:
Add butter to a large saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the turmeric and cumin, and stir for 1 minutes.
Add the rice, and toast the rice by stirring for 4 minutes. Add chicken stock, salt and pepper to season. Stir and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 min, then set aside 15 min and fluff with a fork.

To assemble:
Place the rice in your serving platter, top with the chicken, the white sauce, and chopped tomatoes and parsley. Sriracha too!
This is my go to baked creamy cheesecake. It’s s This is my go to baked creamy cheesecake. It’s so good and rich and easy, topped with a sweet and tangy simple strawberry sauce (sauce recipe from @sallysbakeblog ). I used my new @kenwood_bahrain stand mixer and it was excellent- gave me silky smooth lump free filling. Another winner for my @digitrolley collab- all my new appliances are from them❤️ Check IGTV for recipe video!

For the strawberry topping:
-1 tbsp cornstarch
-3 tbsp water
-450 g strawberries, halved (big pack)
-zest and juice from 1/2 small lemon 
-1/4 cup (50g) sugar

-Whisk together cornstarch and water, then add to a saucepan along with all other ingredients, over medium heat.
-Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly and breaking up strawberries as they cook, 5 minutes or so until thickened. Set aside to cool, can be stored in fridge up to one week.

For the cheesecake:

Ingredients
For the crust:
* 250 g crushed digestive biscuits 2 cups 
* 135 g melted butter 1 stick and 1 tablespoon
* 1/2 tsp cinnamon

For the cheesecake:
* 900 g cream cheese (3 3/4 cup)
* 1 1/2 cup white sugar 300 g
* 3/4 cup milk, room temp
* 4 eggs, room temp
* 1 cup sour cream 240 g
* 1 tbsp vanilla extract
* 1/4 cup all purpose flour 32g

Instructions:

For the crust:
* In a mixing bowl, combine crushed biscuits, the melted butter, and the cinnamon with a fork until crumbs are moistened evenly throughout. Press along the bottom and sides of a lightly greased 9 inch springform pan. Let the crust chill a little in the fridge while you prepare cheesecake.

For the cheesecake:
-Preheat the oven to 180 C
-In  stand mixer, combine the cream cheese with the sugar in a large bowl and mix on medium speed until well combined and fluffy. Blend in the milk, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing briefly after each addition.

-Mix in sour cream, vanilla and flour until smooth. It may be easier to sift in the flour.

-Pour filling into prepared crust. Bake at 180 C for 1 hour, then turn off the oven and leave cheesecake inside for another 5 hours or so until oven has completely cooled. This is to prevent cracking.

* Store cheesecake in fridge after this time period is over until chilled, then top with the strawberry topping.
This, to me, is the sambosa that best embodies Bah This, to me, is the sambosa that best embodies Bahrain- the first- actually the only-place I have these cheesy corn sambosa ❤️. No fancy cheese goes in this, it’s literally the stuff out of a can and take SO melty and cheesy and good. I mix in a little mashed potatoes and it just makes these 💯 times better, creamy and delicious. Posting the full steps on IGTV, it’s so easy you prob won’t need them! Recipe below and tell me- what’s your go to sambosa cheese?

Ingredients
2 small potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes 8 oz total, 235 g
1/2 cup corn kernels, from a can, drained
12 oz American cheese, like Velveeta or Kraft, grated 340 g (2 170g cans of Kraft processed cheese)
pinch salt
pinch black pepper
1/2 pack samosa wrappers each pack is 500 g

Instructions:
-Cover potato cubes with water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are completely cooked through. Drain, and mash.

-Let potatoes cool slightly then combine mashed potatoes with the grated cheese, drained corn, salt and pepper. Mix well until the mixture is evenly combined. Taste for and adjust seasoning.

-Fill each samosa wrapper with a tbsp of mixture on the bottom corner, then fold the corner of the samosa up and over the filling to the other side, to make a triangle. Keep folding this triangle over all the way up the top (check the video at the bottom of this recipe card to see how). Mix together the flour and water to form a thick paste, and seal the ends of the samosa to prevent them from opening up while frying.

-Place vegetable oil in a skillet, about 2 inches deep and heat on medium high heat. Once hot enough, add the sambosa and fry for around 2 minutes a side until golden brown. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to absorb some of the excess oil, then enjoy warm.

.
.
.
.
.

#harira #soup #ramadanrecipes #ramadan2021 #ramadan #ramadankareem #vegetablesoup #soupseason #soupsofinstagram #delishkitchen #friedfood #aprilisforarabfood #f52grams #foodfluffer #foodflatlay #foodphotography #foodphotographer #foodstylist #thefeedfeed #middleeasternfood #vegetarian #tasty #tastingtable #tastemade #samosa #sambosa
This is one of my top 5 recipes from this Ramadan’s recipe prep. One of my features does the @tamimimarkets recipe catalogue! Click the link in their bio to access this gorgeous (free!) catalogue.

This harira soup is unbelievable. Hearty and delicious and beautifully spiced- I’ve never been obsessed with harira soup until this one. It’s a simple one because it’s meat free, so it’s perfect to start your iftar with but also hearty enough to totally serve as a meal alongside some sambosas. Recipe below, and IGTV video coming in a bit!

Ingredients
3 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
pinch red chili flakes
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup chopped coriander(cilantro)
1 can tomato sauce 15 oz (430g)
7 cups vegetable stock or 2 stock cubes dissolved in 7 cups water
1 can drained chickpeas 15 oz (400 g)
1 cup green lentils
1/2 cup vermicelli noodles 50 g
2 lemons, juiced 1/4 cup juice
2 tbsp flour, dissolved in 1/4 cup water* use cornstarch if gluten free

Instructions:
-Start by adding the lentils to a bowl of water and soaking as you prepare the rest of the ingredients, this helps them cook through faster.
-Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, and add the onions, celery and carrots. Saute for 6-8 minutes, until onions soften and turn golden brown.
-Add all the spices, the chopped parsley and chopped coriander, the tomato sauce, and the vegetable stock. Bring the pot to a boil, then add the drained chickpeas and drained lentils. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes or until chickpeas and lentils are tender.
-Add the vermicelli, and let it boil for 3-4 minutes or until tender. Add the lemon juice, and the flour water mixture. Let it simmer another minute or until it thickens, then taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if necessary.
.
.
.
.
.
#harira #soup #ramadanrecipes #ramadan2021 #ramadan #ramadankareem #vegetablesoup #soupseason #soupsofinstagram #moroccan #moroccanfood #aprilisforarabfood #f52grams #foodfluffer #foodflatlay #foodphotography #foodphotographer #foodstylist #thefeedfeed #veganrecipes #vegan #tasty #tastingtable #tastemade #lentils
Never ever liked vimto until I had it like this 🍧. Vimto smoothies means that the sweetness of vimto is tempered by that cold crunchy shaved ice. Could not stop eating/drinking these vimto slushees! So easy, you just need water, ice, vimto and a high speed blender- my @ninjakitchenme did so well breaking down huge ice chunks👏🏼. Save this for a little twist on your classic iftar drink🥳

Ingredients:
-3/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup vimto 
- 2 cups ice 

Method:
Add the ingredients to your blender in the order listed, and blend on frozen drink mode until slushy like consistency. Add more ice or water if you need to, and enjoy immediately with a spoon/straw. Yum!
.
.
.
.
.

#ramadan #ramadan2021 #ramadanrecipes #iceddrinks #slush #slushy #slushii #berries #syrup #cordial #drinkphotography #damnthatsdelish #foodfluffer #pour #dripshot #foodphotography #foodphotographyandstyling #foodstylist #foodstyling #thefeedfeed #vimto #foodtographyschool #foodtography #beautifulcuisines
A biscuit base topped with a super easy smooth, cr A biscuit base topped with a super easy smooth, creamy pistachio cheesecake and the crowning touch,  @mayadelices ‘s luscious milk chocolate melted and poured over the top. I mean- heavenly! Recipe below, adapted from @savoryandsweetfood ,, IGTV will be uploaded today. I am absolutely loving @mayadelices couverture, great quality baking chocolate thats so fun experimenting with! They have sugar free and vegan options too, and best of all it’s easily available in their shop in Bahrain 🍫👏🏼

Ingredients:

For the crust:
2 cups digestive biscuit crumbs (250 g)
1/2 cup butter melted, 115g
Pinch cinnamon powder

For the pistachio cheesecake filling:

1 cup pistachio powder (140g)
12 Kiri squares or cream cheese (215g)
250 ml thick cream
1/2 of a 400 g tin of sweetened condensed milk, more if you like it sweeter

To top:
1 cup Maya milk chocolate (160g)
pistachios to garnish

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180C. Grease and line a 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper with extra paper hanging over the sides so you can easily lift out the bars.

2. Mix digestive crumbs with melted butter and cinnamon. Press this firmly into the base of the pan. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.

3. In a food processor, add the pistachio powder, kiri cheese cubes, thick cream, and condensed milk. Blend until well combined and smooth. Pour this mixture into the crust base and bake for 15-20 minutes until set but center is still a little jiggly. Let cool at room temperature for 1 hour then refrigerate for several hours.

4. Melt the milk chocolate gently in the microwave, in 10 second bursts, stirring after each increment. Once smooth and melted, spread over the top of the cheesecake, and refrigerate until set. Enjoy!
.
.
.
.
.
#ramadan #ramadan2021 #ramadanrecipes #cheesecakebars #cheesecakebites #chocolateporn #pistachio #chocolatelover #chocolaterecipes #cheesecakelovers #cheesecakelove #damnthatsdelish #foodfluffer #pour #chocolatedrip #dripshot #foodphotography #foodphotographyandstyling #foodstylist #foodstyling #thefeedfeed #thebakefeed #foodtographyschool #foodtography #beautifulcuisines
Want a Ramadan dessert that takes minutes to make Want a Ramadan dessert that takes minutes to make and tastes amazing? Yeah we all do - I got you! Try this coffee biscuit cake (barely adapted from the wonderful @littlesunnykitchen). Layers of coffee soaked biscuits and a super easy fluffy cream 👌🏼. I used my new @braun_bahrain handheld electric whisk, one of the attachments in the minipimer set-It whips the cream so fast, much faster than my stand mixer and it’s so convenient to be able to use any bowl to prep the cream in. I’ve partnered with @digitrolley to bring you lots of good recipes with their range of kitchen appliances, so keep following along! Recipe below , and IGTV video coming today in my Ramadan series!

Ingredients
2 tbsp nescafe powder dissolved in 1 cup hot water
1 cup heavy whipping cream 250ml
3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
splash vanilla extract, optional
1 creme caramel sachet, powder only 49g
1 pack tea biscuits or graham crackers 7 oz or 200 g
2 tbsp cocoa powder for topping

Instructions:
-Add the heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and creme caramel powder to a bowl and beat until soft peaks form. Set this cream mixture aside.
-Dip the tea biscuits into the coffee briefly until they soak up the coffee but before they start to break apart. -Layer in a 7×11 or 9×9 inch clear pyrex dish, then top with half the cream mixture.
-Repeat another layer of coffee soaked biscuits on top of the heavy cream, followed by the remaining half of the cream. Sift the cocoa powder on to the top, then refrigerate for several hours until set. This is even better the next day!

.
.
.
.
.
#nescafe #nescafegold #coffeecake #biscuit #biscuitcake #nobake #nobakedessert #nobakecake #tiramisu #damnthatsdelish #tastingtable #beautifulcuisines #foodphotography #foodphotographyandstyling #tastyfood #easydessert #ramadankareem #ramadan2021 #ramadanrecipes #cream
Ramadan Kareem! And the first recipe is for these Ramadan Kareem! And the first recipe is for these unbelievable (and easy!) chicken musakhan sambosa was developed for @tamimimarkets Ramadan catalogue. One of the coolest projects I’ve ever worked on can’t wait to tell you more about it! In the meantime, enjoy this teaser recipe and check IGTV for full video steps coming up. 

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts, cooked and finely shredded about 1 heaped cup of shredded chicken See notes
1/4 cup olive oil
2 large onions cut in half, then thinly sliced into wedges
1/4 cup toasted almond slivers or pine nuts
3 tbsp sumac
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cumin powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
To assemble:
1 pack sambosa wrappers 500 g
1 tbsp flour
1/2 tbsp water
For frying:
vegetable oil, about 1/4 cup

Instructions:
-In a deep skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil until it heats up. Add the onions, and cook, stirring frequently until soft and starting to caramelize, 8-10 minutes.

-Add the shredded chicken, the toasted nuts, and all the spices. Stir to combine, then remove from the heat. Let mixture cool slightly 5 minutes or so.

-Fill each sambosa wrapper with a tbsp of mixture on the bottom corner, then fold the corner of the sambosa up and over the filling to the other side, to make a triangle. Keep folding this triangle over all the way up the top 

-Mix together the flour and water to form a thick paste, and seal the ends of the sambosa to prevent them from opening up while frying.

-Place vegetable oil in a skillet, about 2 inches deep and heat on medium high heat. Once hot enough, add the sambosa and fry for around 2 minutes a side until golden brown. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to absorb some of the excess oil, then enjoy warm, optionally with yogurt to dip in.
.
.
.
.
.
#chickensamosa #musakhan #ramadankareem #ramadan2021 #ramadanrecipes #samosa #friedfood #palestinianfood #middleeasternfood #beautifulcuisines #damnthatsdelish #f52community #thefeedfeed #foodgawker #f52grams #buzzfeedfood #tastingtable #tastemade #chickenrecipes #sumac #caramelizedonions #foodblogfeed #foodphotography #foodphotographyandstyling #foodstyling
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2019 on the Seasoned Pro Theme