T’fina Pkaila (Instant Pot)

T’fina Pkaila (Instant Pot)

T’fina Pkaila (Instant Pot)

Tfina pkaila is a traditional Jewish Tunisian dish served during Rosh Hashanah. The dish consists of stewed spinach with white beans and beef. I used my Instant Pot in preparation to speed up the cooking process; taking about an hour to make as opposed to 3+ hours it would take if using your stove top. The pkaila is always served over couscous with crusty Italian bread.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Tunisian
Keyword: Beef, main course, north african, Tunisian
Author: Alex Gorgos

Equipment

  • instant pot

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups dry white beans soaked overnight
  • 1 lb fresh spinach
  • olive oil
  • 1/2 large onion diced
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 lb beef shank meat cubed
  • 1/2 tbsp harissa
  • 1/2 bunch mint chopped
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro chopped
  • 1/2 bunch parsley chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat up the olive oil in you instant pot on the sauté function over medium heat. Add in the spinach.
    Tunisian, main course, beef
  • Allow the spinach to cook down and release it’s liquid until it evaporates. Remove the spinach from the pot.
    Tunisian, main course, beef
  • Turn the function to high heat. Add in the onion, garlic, beef shank, and harissa. Brown for 5 minutes.
    Tunisian, main course, beef
  • Drain the beans and add into the pot. Stir in the spinach.
    Tunisian, main course, beef
  • Turn the function to pressure cook on high for 30 minutes. Put on the cover and push start.
    Tunisian, main course, beef
  • Release the pressure. Turn the function back to sauté on high. Add in the chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 more minutes until thickened.
    Tunisian, main course, beef
Tunisian, main course, beef
Tunisian, main course, beef
Serve with herbed couscous.