Fasoulia (Cannellini Bean Stew)
I've been reading a wonderful book, Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life, Dr Claudia Welch, MSOM...Achieving Optimal Health and Wellness through Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine and Western Science. Dr Claudia explains that it is beneficial for us to consume a little bit of yang Spice (Turmeric, Black Pepper and Paprika) for example with heavy foods (Meats), to warm and lighten them and it is good to consume light foods (Salads) with something heavy, like a little Oil for some balance.The basic concept is that cooling or yin foods are nourishing, building and grounding whereas heating or yang foods are reducing, lightening, energizing and motivating. We need a balance of heating & cooling foods or yin & yang in order to maintain optimal health.
"Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food" - Hippocrates.
The Middle Eastern and Persian recipes that have been passed down to me by my mother and mother in law are in line with these teachings. The recipes are not only delicious, but they were once, long ago created by people who were learned in Ayurvedic teachings and were creating these balanced recipes with this wisdom in mind. Next time I add Turmeric to my Meat in stews or Olive Oil & Lemon to my Greens I'll do so with confidence knowing that they are helping my body create balance.
It saddens me to think how wrong Thomas Edison was when he wrote "The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”
Organic Ingredients serves 6
1 Large Onion, peeled & diced small
4 Cloves Garlic peeled and crushed
1 Lb. Grass fed stewing Lamb or Beef
1 Sweet Red Pepper, de-seeded and chopped into big pieces
1 Tsp. Ground Turmeric, Paprika, Coriander
1/2 Tsp. Ground Black Pepper, Cinnamon
1 Tsp. Sea Salt
4 Tbsps. Heaped Tomato Paste + 2 cups Water
2 Cups Cannellini or Great Northern Beans soaked overnight. In a pinch you can used canned
Bunch fresh Coriander, washed, de-stemmed and chopped small
Method
Blitz the Sweet Red Pepper and half the Cilantro in a food processer for a minute.
Fry the Onion in some Olive Oil in a large non stick pan until translucent. Add in Garlic, Meat, Salt & Spices and brown. Add Sweer Red Pepper and Cilantro and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add Tomato Paste, Water and Beans and bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a low simmer. Stew for 1.5-2 hours until the Beans are soft and the Meat tender. If using canned Beans, add in 30 minutes before the end of cooking time. Serve with Basmati Rice.
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