Aromatic Azerbaijani Legim Stew

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup (200g) green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces 1 cup (200g) green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup (200g) canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 cup (200g) canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 8g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 10g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until the onion is translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the diced carrots, potatoes, bell pepper, zucchini, green beans, and chickpeas to the pot. Stir well to combine.
4. 4.
   Sprinkle the ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and saffron threads over the vegetables. Stir to coat the vegetables evenly with the spices.
5. 5.
   Pour the vegetable broth into the pot and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
7. 7.
   Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
8. 8.
   Serve the Legim stew hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Saffron — To enhance the flavor and aroma of saffron, soak the threads in a tablespoon of warm water for 10 minutes before adding them to the stew.

Tips & Tricks

• For a heartier stew, you can add chunks of seitan or tofu along with the vegetables.
• If you prefer a spicier stew, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
• Serve the Legim stew with a side of warm crusty bread for a complete meal.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to deepen and develop further.

Serving advice

Serve the Azerbaijani Legim stew hot in individual bowls. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or parsley for a burst of freshness.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Legim stew, you can serve it in traditional Azerbaijani ceramic bowls or on a bed of fluffy white rice. The vibrant colors of the vegetables and the aromatic saffron will make the dish visually appealing.