Adafina Chickpea Pot, a sephardic traditions dish from Meknes072

Sephardic Traditions

Adafina Chickpea Pot

The legendary Spanish-Sephardic Sabbath stew (ancestor of cholent and dafina) featuring beef, chickpeas, eggs, and sweet spices layered and slow-cooked overnight.

12-15 hoursYield · 8 servingsRegion · Meknes

Ingredients

What you’ll need

  • 2 lbs beef brisket (cut in chunks)
  • 1 cup chickpeas (soaked overnight)
  • 1/2 cup split fava beans (soaked)
  • 6 raw eggs in shell
  • 1 head garlic
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ginger
  • turmeric
  • salt
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • water

Method

How it comes together

  1. 1

    Layer soaked chickpeas and fava beans at the bottom of a large deep crockpot or heavy Dutch oven.

  2. 2

    Place the beef brisket chunks, head of garlic, and raw eggs (in their shells) on top.

  3. 3

    Pour in water to fully cover all elements. Add honey, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and salt.

  4. 4

    Cover tightly and cook at 200°F (95°C) overnight for 18-24 hours. Serve the meat, eggs, and beans on separate platters.

Accuracy note

Historical and regional adafina formulas are highly variable. This is a practical Sephardic archetype, not a reconstruction of one medieval household recipe.

Chef’s note

Long overnight cooking at low heat caramelizes the proteins and starches, creating a deeply complex savory-sweet flavor profile.

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