Gormeh Sabzi

From the "New Food of Life"

Gormeh Sabzi (fresh herb Khoresh):

2 large onions, thinly sliced
1.5 lbs leg of lamb or 2 lbs chicken thighs and legs (I used chicken at book group)
.5 cup oil
1.5 t salt
.25 t pepper
.5 t turmeric
1/3 c dried kidney beans
4 whole dried persian limes (at middle-eastern market)
4 c chopped parsley
1 cup chopped chives or scallions (I used scallions)
1 cup chopped cilantro
1 cup chopped fenugreek (or 1/4 cup dried, at middle-eastern market)
2 T dried persian lime powder or 4 T fresh lime juice
1 t tomato paste

Brown onions and meat in 3 T oil. Add salt, pepper, and turmeric.
Pour in 4 cups water if using lamb, 2 cups if using chicken
Add kidney beans and dried limes. Bring to a boil and simmer ~30 min for lamb, 15 min for chicken.

Meanwhile, fry the herbs in remaining oil over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring constantly until aroma of herbs rises.

Add sauteed herbs and lime powder or juice and tomato paste to the pot. Cover and simmer for 2.5 hours for meat or 1.5 hours for chicken over low heat, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Serve with saffron-basmati rice.