January 26, 2007

Haleemmm

It's winter and the best time for a bowl of haleem in the morning. How do you make it?

Ingredients:

* 2 pounds skinless turkey breast
* 1 large sliced onion
* 2 pounds bulgur soaked for 24 hrs. (bulgur, found in Middle Eastern stores)
* 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Place turkey, onion and salt in a pot.
2. Add the bulgur and enough water to barely cover ingredients, then bring to a boil.
3. Lower heat and cook until turkey is done (about 1 hour).
4. Stir occasionally, to prevent the formation of a crust on the bottom of the pan.
5. If juices evaporate before turkey is done, add 1/4 cup water.
6. When turkey is cooked, remove from pot and mash with a potato masher.
7. In a food processor, mash bulgur into a soft paste and set aside.
8. Return turkey and bulgur to the pot, mix well and cook over low heat for 2 hours.
9. Halim is traditionally served in a bowl, sprinkled with cinnamon. A bowl of sugar is always placed on the side.

Preparation time: 2 hours

Note: You may substitute lamb or beef for turkey. If you use meat, add a clove of garlic along with the onion and salt.

Frrom Pari Ardalan Malek's Joy of Persian Cooking: Persian-American Cuisine (2000, Abjad Book Designers and Builders).

*** Alternative Method ***

1. Wake brother up at 5 am.
2. Give him a large pot and a blanket large enough to wrap around said pot.
3. Send him out into the dark, cold morning air with instructions to get your favorite haleem with extra turkey. Remind him to get enough noon sangak.
4. Return to sweet, sweet sleep dreaming of yummy haleem breakfast.
5. Grudgingly answer door when poor, semi-frozen brother returns.
6. Take pot of haleem away from untrustworthy brother, ask him to set breakfast table while you "Get the haleem ready."
7. Melt butter (careful not to burn) and pour over haleem which has been carefully transferred to large bowl. 
8. Arrange extra turkey and cinnimon on top, making the haleem personal and 'special'.
9. Serve to hungry family members and semi-thawed, untrustworthy brother with a big smile.
10. Enjoy as you bask in the yummy goodness of haleem and family compliments to your good taste.
-- Parissa Sohie

Winner: Simin Habibian (100 Afarin!) & Parissa Sohie (100 Afarin!)

The person who wins the most number of daily quizes in a month will be awarded any book from amazon.com with a cover value up to $50 and their name will be enshrined in the Column of Champions! Second-place winner will receive the comic book "Rostam tales from the Shahnameh", a Persian/English wall calendar from Children of Persia, or a gift certificate from eworldrecords.com.

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