Libyan Braised Beef with Beans and Cumin

A popular dish for Shabbat and the High Holidays, this stew is one of my favourites from Libya’s Jewish culinary repertoire. Although it means planning ahead, do try and use dried beans soaked in water for this recipe, as they are so much better than tinned ones; the beans slow-cook with the meat and the two marry perfectly with the spices.

This recipe has evolved a lot during the years I’ve been making it, with my Israeli-Libyan friends suggesting richer versions with ple