Halim e Budemjan

Following in the theme for the week here’s a quick and easily produced meal for when your hungry and in a  bit of a hurry.  It takes no more than an hour  from start to finish, it’s filling, and very, very delicious. The recipe below is for two just multiply the ingredients as needed.

HALIM E BUDEMJAN

Ingredients:

• 400 gr’s minced meat ( either lamb or beef)
• 1 large onion chopped
• 2 medium aubergines
• 1 cup of kashk
• 1 teaspoon of advieh
• 1 cup of lentils ( cooked)
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric
• salt and pepper to taste.
• Oil

For the garnish:

• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 4 cloves of garlic sliced
• 3 tablespoons of dried mint
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts ( optional)

Method:

1. Bake the aubergine in the oven until soft. This usually takes 45 mins on 20
2. Peel the aubergine, mash and put to one side.
   
3. Fry the meat until brown, and salt, pepper, saffron, lentils, 3 cups of water and allow to reduce.
4. Add the aubergine and cook for another 5 minutes.
   
5. Then add  1/2 cup of kashk ( you can use kashk straight from the freezer and I freeze it in 1 cup quantities).
   
6. Finally add the advieh, stir in well.
   
7. Allow to simmer for a few minutes and then put to one side.
   

4. Add 1/2 cup of hot water to the remaining kashk, bring to the boil and then place to one side.

Now make the garnish

1. Heat the olive oil in a pan and add the garlic. Be careful not to over fry it as you want it brown and crispy but not burnt.
2. Add the turmeric and dried mint, stir well, remove from the heat and put to one side.

Bringing it all together

• Place the meat mixture into a serving dish.
• Pour on a little of the liquid kashk ( you need to keep some in reserve to serve with the meal)
• Then decorate with the garlic and mint garnish by spooning it on

• Use the remaining oil from the pan you fried the garnish in to spoon over the top and add walnuts if you wish.

Serve with a small bowl of the liquid kashk, a fresh green salad, naan or pitta bread.

Nooshi joonet ~ Enjoy