Perfect Cholent Recipe: Make Your Family’s Weekend Special
Are you ready to add some flavor to your weekends? Look no further than my easy cholent recipe! As a passionate Israeli chef, I know how important it is to have delicious meals that can be cooked effortlessly. With my recipe, you’ll have a hearty and flavorful dish that can be made using only one pot – perfect for lazy days.
Cholent is a traditional Jewish stew that’s been enjoyed for generations. It’s the perfect meal for those cozy, warm evenings when you want a filling meal without any fuss. The best part? You can customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences – whether it’s by adding more veggies or substituting meat with beans.
In this article, I will guide you step-by-step through my tried and tested easy cholent recipe. I’ll also provide tips on substitutions and variations as well as make-ahead, storing, and reheating. So, let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you in search of a hearty, comforting meal perfect for family gatherings and cold winter nights? Look no further than this easy cholent recipe! Whether you’re a busy parent, a college student on a budget or just someone looking for a lazy man’s stew recipe, this dish is sure to satisfy any craving.
With its rich, complex flavors and tender chunks of beef stew meat or vegetarians’ choice of chickpeas and barley, this cholent recipe provides an ideal balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and other essential nutrients. The combination of the pearl barley, potatoes, onion and garlic creates an undeniably fragrant and satisfying aroma that will fill your home with warmth before you even take the first bite.
One of the best things about this delicious cholent recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile. You can customize it using your favorite ingredients, making substitutions based on your preferences or dietary requirements. For example, our vegetarian readers can swap out the meat for chickpeas for an equally delicious vegan cholent recipe.
This recipe is also incredibly easy to make — all you need to do is add the ingredients to your slow cooker and let it do the work! Not only is it one of the easiest and fastest recipes around, but it also requires only a handful of pantry staples – potatoes, barley, baked beans and confit duck – that are likely already in your cupboard.
Even better news? This cholent recipe can be made ahead of time and stored for up to a week in the fridge or frozen for longer-term storage, making it perfect for meal prep or as an effortless dinner option.
So why wait? Try out this gluten-free stew recipe shared by chef Ehud today! Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding the whole family, we guarantee you’ll find nothing else quite like this flavorful classic beef cholent or unique vegetarian twist on traditional stew meat potatoes. Give it a whirl and see what everyone has been talking about!
Ingredient List
What you’ll need:
- 2 pounds beef stew meat
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 ½ inch chunks
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 onions, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup pearl barley
- Two 15-ounce cans of baked beans
- One 15-ounce can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- Vegetable oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
For a vegetarian Cholent, substitute the beef stew meat with:
- An additional 1 ½ cups of barley for a total of 2 ½ cups
- Another can of chickpeas or kidney beans
Optional Ingredients and Additions:
- Confit duck or goose would be an excellent addition to this recipe. If you want to add it, cut up the meat and put it in with the beef before cooking.
- For a gluten-free recipe, use gluten-free barley or quinoa instead.
- For a vegan Cholent, omit the meat and add more vegetables like carrot and celery.
- For an Estie Cholent, add sliced hot dogs on top for the last hour of cooking.
- Funky Cholent variations can include kishke (a stuffed sausage made with matzo meal) or flanken (short ribs), among other things.
Note: Before starting, make sure to soak your beans in water overnight.
The Recipe How-To
Now that we have covered the ingredient list, it’s time to dive into making the Easy Cholent recipe. Below is a step-by-step guide for putting together this tasty stew:
1. Soak beans and barley (8 hours before cooking)
Before cooking, soak 2 cups of chickpeas and 1 cup of barley in a pot of water overnight.
2. Cut onions and potatoes
Peel and cut 2 medium onions and 4-5 potatoes into 1½-inch chunks.
3. Brown the meat
In a pan, brown 2 pounds of beef stew meat with vegetable oil until the meat is almost fully cooked.
4. Add onion and garlic
Once the meat is browned, add chopped onions and garlic to the pan and cook until they soften.
5. Assemble the cholent
Place half of the soaked beans and barley at the bottom of a slow cooker, adding layers of beef stew meat, onions, chickpeas, potatoes, and pearl barley. Repeat until everything is used up, then cover everything with water.
6. Cook on low heat
Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours in a slow cooker or on low heat on a stovetop for 3-4 hours.
Now it’s time to enjoy your delicious Easy Cholent recipe!
Substitutions and Variations
Looking to mix up your cholent game? The great news is that this recipe is so versatile, there are endless substitutions and variations you can try to make it your own.
Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian cholent, simply omit the beef stew meat and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Try adding in some sliced mushrooms and extra chickpeas for added protein.
Confiting Duck: Want to take your cholent to the next level? Switch out the beef stew meat with confit duck legs (which can be found in specialty stores or online). This adds a rich, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the earthy barley and potatoes.
Gluten-Free Option: Simply swap regular barley with gluten-free pearl barley or quinoa for a gluten-free option.
Funky Cholent: Make your cholent funky by adding in some unique ingredients like sweet potato, butternut squash, smoked paprika or thyme. Get creative!
Lazy Man Cholent: In a rush, but still want that slow-cooked flavor? Try this lazy man version of the recipe. Simply mix together canned baked beans, diced potatoes, onions, garlic powder and water in a slow cooker. Set it on low for 8 hours and voila!
Best Vegetarian Cholent: Want to impress your vegetarian friends? Try this tasty vegetarian cholent recipe from Jamie Geller which uses a mix of mushrooms and whole peeled garlic cloves to add depth to the dish.
With these substitutions and variations, you’ll never get bored with cholent. So go ahead, experiment away!
Serving and Pairing
Now that your cholent is ready, it’s time to savor and enjoy this lovely meal. Cholent is a hearty and filling dish that can be served as the main course for any weekend family gatherings or special occasions such as Shabbat.
The best way to serve your delicious cholent is to place it in a deep bowl, and adding a slice of fresh bread on the side. Don’t forget to sprinkle some fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for an extra burst of flavor. The bread can be used to soak up the liquid sauce and starchy goodness of the potatoes, chickpeas, and barley.
For an added twist, I would suggest serving this dish with something cold like a cucumber salad. Using cucumber as a side dish will help to balance out the warm and savory flavors of the chulent.
As for pairing options, there are various choices depending on your personal preferences. For example, if you prefer wine, go for a light-to-medium-bodied red wine like Shiraz or Merlot as it helps to balance the subtle sweetness in the dish. Alternatively, if you’re more of a beer person, you can opt for Amber ale or Irish stout which also match well with the flavors in cholent.
In conclusion, whether you’re serving it up for dinner parties, potlucks or simply feeding your family during weekends or holidays, Cholent always delivers on its promise of giving everyone perfect comfort and satisfaction!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of the best things about cholent is that it tastes even better the second day! Since this dish takes time to cook, it’s a great option for making ahead of time. This way, you can have a hearty meal ready to go for Shabbat or any day of the week. I recommend letting the cholent cool down before refrigerating it.
When storing cholent, make sure to keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last up to 4 days when stored properly. If you’re making a big batch and want to freeze it for later use, make sure to portion it out into smaller containers before freezing. This makes it easier to thaw and reheat as needed.
To reheat cholent, simply place it in a pot on low heat and stir occasionally until heated through. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave. If you find that the liquid has thickened too much, you can add water or broth to thin it out.
When it comes to reheating leftover cholent, I like to jazz things up a bit by serving it over rice or even adding some fresh herbs or grated cheese on top. The possibilities are endless! So go ahead and enjoy your delicious Slow Cooker Cholent Recipe knowing that you have several options for reheating and storing.
Tips for Perfect Results
If you want to make the perfect cholent every time, pay close attention to these tips. You’ll ensure your dish comes out perfectly and delivers on taste every time.
1. Choose quality ingredients: Don’t skimp on the ingredients! Use high-quality stew meat, potatoes, chickpeas, barley, onions and other vegetables.
2. Prep your ingredients properly: Cut your meat and potatoes into bite-sized chunks and chop your onions and garlic. It helps everything to cook evenly.
3. Soak beans and barley overnight: Soaking the beans and barley overnight reduces cooking time and makes them softer.
4. Brown your meat: Before adding your meat to the slow cooker or pot, brown it in a pan for added flavor.
5. Layer your ingredients: Make sure to layer your ingredients in your slow cooker or pot from heaviest to lightest in order to ensure even cooking.
6. Don’t forget seasoning: Cholent needs a good amount of seasoning, so add salt, pepper, paprika, cumin or any other spices you like best.
7. Keep an eye on liquid levels: Your cholent will need enough liquid for cooking but don’t overdo it –too much liquid can make it watery.
8. Give enough time: Ideally, give yourself 8-12 hours for the cholent to cook at low heat since everything needs to cook slowly for maximum flavor!
Follow these tips for a top-notch cholent every time!
Bottom Line
: As an Israeli chef, I can tell you with confidence that a good cholent recipe is an essential part of any Jewish household’s cooking repertoire. This easy cholent recipe is perfect for those who are short on time or who want to enjoy a lazy day while still enjoying the scrumptious taste of this classic dish.
Whether you prefer your cholent with meat or vegetables, this recipe has something to offer for everyone. The slow cooker method ensures that all the ingredients are cooked to perfection, leaving you with a delicious and flavorful meal that will be enjoyed by all.
So go ahead and gather up those ingredients, set your slow cooker and let it do its magic! The end result will be well worth the wait. And don’t forget to experiment with different variations to find your favorite version of this timeless classic.
In conclusion, this easy cholent recipe is the perfect solution for anyone looking for a delicious and hearty meal that can be prepared in no time. So next time you’re hosting a Shabbat dinner or just craving some comfort food, give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!
Easy Cholent Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 -2 lb meat
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 (28 ounce) cans baked beans
- 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas
- 2 (15 ounce) cans potatoes, whole
- 1 cup barley
Instructions
- Add all to the crockpot and top with water.
- Cover and cook on low about 16 hours or until needed.