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A hearty bowl of Afghan mashawa barley stew.

Mashawa (Afghan Barley Bean Stew)

5 from 1 vote
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Afghan
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours
Servings: 6 bowls
Calories: 567kcal
Author: Kelly
Mashawa is an Afghan barley and mung bean stew packed full with tomatoes, beans, spices, and chunks of savoury protein. Like chili, but even more flavourful!
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Ingredients

  • ¼ cup cooking oil
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 carrot (*optional)
  • ½ head garlic (5 to 6 cloves)
  • 1 cup barley
  • 2 cups dry mung beans, adzuki beans, black beans, black-eyed peas, chickpeas, or kidney beans (use a mix of whatever beans you have)
  • 1 large tomato or 1/2 can diced tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • chili flakes (to taste *optional)
  • 2 to 3 tsp salt
  • 6 cups vegetable stock (I used water + 2 tbsp no chicken better than bouillon)
  • 1 cup soya chunks or vegan mutton chunks (*optional; see Notes)
  • scallions, dill, and dried mint (for serving)
  • Vegan Yogurt (for serving)

Instructions

  • If using dry beans (skip if your beans are already cooked): Rinse 2 cups dry mung beans, adzuki beans, black beans, black-eyed peas, chickpeas, or kidney beans until the water runs clear, then cook on low heat for 2 hours or until tender. Add more water if they look too dry at any point. Set aside.
  • Finely dice 1 large onion, 1 carrot and 1/2 head garlic. To save time, you can also throw them in a food processor or blender and pulse a few times.
  • Pour 1/4 cup cooking oil into a stock pot or Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, and garlic and sauté until lightly browned.
  • Roughly chop 1 large tomato or 1/2 can diced tomatoes. Add tomato and 2 tbsp tomato paste to the pot and cook for a few minutes.
  • Sprinkle in 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp ground black pepper, 2 tsp ground coriander, chili flakes (if using), and 2 to 3 tsp salt.
  • Pour in 1 cup soya chunks or vegan mutton chunks (if using), 1 cup barley, the cooked beans (along with all the remaining bean cooking water), and 6 cups vegetable stock.
  • Cover and bring to a simmer, then turn the heat down to the lowest setting and let cook for 30 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat and stir in scallions, dill, and dried mint. Top with Vegan Yogurt (if using).

Nutrition

Calories: 567kcal | Carbohydrates: 84g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 1814mg | Potassium: 1332mg | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 3722IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 193mg | Iron: 9mg