In this episode of Meals from the Sunnah, we learn how to make Thareed (ثريد).
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The superiority of `Aisha to other women is like the superiority of Tharid to other kinds of food . “
Ibn Al Qayyim writes in his book Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet “Thareed is composed of some bread, which is the best of food, and meat, which is the best of flavoring. When these two are combined together, no other food can surpass them”.
Bukhari
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:
The food the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) liked best was tharid made from bread and tharid made from Hays.
Sunan Abi Dawud
Ingredients
• 1lb meat pieces with bones (lamb, chicken, goat, veal or beef)
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 1/2 to 2/3 Butternut Squash depending on the size (peeled and sliced into big chunks). This should equal about 2 cups of butternut squash.
• 1/2 teaspoon of allspice
• 1 Tablespoon of salt (start with less and add more to suit your taste).
• Pinch of black pepper
• 7 cardamom pods (crushed so they are slightly open)
• 1 pinch of cinnamon stick (about 1 inch in length).
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 tablespoons cooking oil, or preferably ghee
• 5 cups of water
Method
Rinse meat with bones. Set aside.
Add oil/ghee to a medium-sized pot on medium heat.
Add onions and sauté until soft and golden.
Add meat and sauté with the onions until the meat has been browned on all sides (5-7 minutes).
Add spices
Add 5 cups of water, and bring it to a boil.
Let the meat cook over medium heat (depending on the intensity of your stove) for about 90 minutes. Check to see when meat is soft and falls apart easily. Stir often so nothing sticks on the bottom of your pot.
Once the meat is soft, add the squash pieces. Add ½ cup of water if the broth level does not fully immerse the squash. Cook for an additional 20-30 minutes until squash is soft.
Once squash is soft (but not mush), turn off the stove.
optional: top with nuts and yogurt on the side
Serve with homemade bread, preferably barley bread.