Cholent, a traditional Jewish stew, is a flavor-packed dish with a rich history. For centuries, families have gathered around the dinner table to enjoy this hearty and satisfying meal. With its diverse ingredients and endless variations, the possibilities for creating a delicious cholent are endless. This article will delve into the art of crafting the ultimate "funky cholent", exploring unique flavor combinations and innovative cooking techniques to elevate this classic dish to new heights.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CLASSIC CHOLENT
Traditional Ashkenazic slow-cooked cholent is prepared before Shabbat with meat, potatoes, onions, barley, beans, and kishke.
Provided by Melinda Strauss
Categories Main
Time 8h10m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- 1. Place the onions and potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker. 2. Top with the beef stew meat and marrow bones. Sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper. Add the barley and kidney beans, then sprinkle on the paprika, cumin, turmeric and chili powder. 3. Drizzle the top of the cholent with honey, top with the kishka, then pour the water over the top to cover the beans. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat overnight, or for at least 8 hours.
Nutrition Facts :
CHOLENT
This classic Jewish Shabbat dish can be started the evening before Shabbat and cooked overnight so it's ready (and hands-off) the day of. There are endless versions of the dish; this one features short ribs for celebratory richness and gets subtle sweetness from honey, tomato paste and carrots. We also add whole creamer potatoes, a variety that holds up well to long cooking and will absorb the delicious beef flavor. Although cholent can be cooked in a low oven or on a hot plate, using a slow cooker means the dish can simmer overnight and stay warm until you're ready to serve.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 18h40m
Yield 8 servings (about 13 cups of stew)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Place the beans in a medium bowl and cover with a few inches of water. Refrigerate at least 8 hours.
- Using the sear feature of your slow cooker, or a heavy pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Season the beef on both sides with salt and pepper. Sear the beef until deep golden brown on one side, 6 to 8 minutes. Turn and sear other side until golden brown, 4 to 6 more minutes. Remove the beef and set aside. Remove and discard excess oil. Add 1/4 cup of the red wine and scrape the bottom of the pan. Cook until mostly reduced, about 30 seconds.
- If searing in the slow cooker, add the onions in one layer. Top with the potatoes, then the seared beef. If searing in a separate pan, place the onions in one layer on the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with the potatoes, then the beef, then pour in the reduced wine.
- Top with the drained beans, then the carrots, garlic and barley. Whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup red wine, tomato paste and honey in a large glass measuring cup and add 2 cups water. Add the water mixture and the beef broth to the cooker. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours.
- Stir in the vinegar and season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and serve.
CHOLENT
The overnight Jewish stew, cholent, is typically started on Friday afternoon and allowed to cook overnight to be eaten at noon on the Sabbath. It is a flavorful, comforting slurry of beef short ribs, beans, potatoes, onions, honey and smoked paprika. This version is made in a slow cooker so those observing Sabbath need not tend to it.
Provided by Joan Nathan
Categories dinner, main course
Time 15h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Line the bottom of a slow cooker with the potatoes, the onion and then the short ribs, sprinkling the meat with pepper to taste.
- Scatter the barley and the beans on top, then pour on the broth and the honey or molasses. Sprinkle with the paprika and salt to taste. Add enough water to cover all the ingredients. Cook on low for 12 to 15 hours, stirring occasionally (except during Shabbat, for those who observe it), adding more water if necessary. The longer the cholent cooks, the better it will be.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 308, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 42 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 17 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 585 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams
EDITH KLEIN'S CHOLENT
Provided by Florence Fabricant
Categories dinner, casseroles, one pot, main course
Time 8h30m
Yield Eight servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Place beans in a bowl, cover with cold water to a depth of 2 inches and allow to soak at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Heat fat or oil in a large, heavy casserole. Add onions and shallots and saute until golden. Stir in garlic and cook for about a minute. Remove the vegetables from the pan with a slotted spoon, draining them well, and set aside.
- Brown chunks of beef lightly in the fat and remove them.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Cut pastrami into 1-inch cubes and stir them into the fat, then stir in the paprika and honey. Return onions, shallots, garlic and beef to casserole. Stir in barley. Drain beans and add them.
- Add 6 cups boiling water to casserole. Cover and place in oven. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 250 degrees and bake 30 minutes longer. Remove lid, season to taste with salt and pepper, then cover casserole with a piece of aluminum foil and replace the lid. Place in oven and allow to bake 7 to 8 hours or overnight.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 484, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 31 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 43 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 721 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams
Tips:
- Choose the right beans: Different types of beans have different flavors and textures. For a classic cholent, use a combination of white beans, kidney beans, and black beans. You can also add other beans, such as chickpeas or lentils, for a more varied flavor.
- Soak the beans overnight: This will help to soften the beans and reduce the cooking time. If you don't have time to soak the beans overnight, you can quick-soak them by boiling them for 1 minute, then removing them from the heat and letting them sit for 1 hour.
- Use a variety of spices: Cholent is a very flavorful dish, so don't be afraid to use a variety of spices. Common spices used in cholent include paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also add other spices, such as cayenne pepper or chili powder, for a spicier cholent.
- Cook the cholent slowly and low: Cholent is a slow-cooked dish, so be patient. The longer you cook it, the more flavorful it will be. Cook the cholent for at least 8 hours, or even overnight.
- Serve with your favorite toppings: Cholent is traditionally served with a variety of toppings, such as hard-boiled eggs, onions, and pickles. You can also serve it with bread or matzo.
Conclusion:
Cholent is a delicious and hearty Jewish stew that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is a relatively easy dish to make, but it does take some time. If you are looking for a flavorful and satisfying stew, cholent is definitely worth a try.
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