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Fire-Roasted Hawayej Ribeye with Blistered Sweet Peppers, Sizzling Cashew-Coriander Crunch & Velvet Tahini

Fire-Roasted Hawayej Ribeye with Blistered Sweet Peppers, Sizzling Cashew-Coriander Crunch & Velvet Tahini

Thick-cut ribeye steaks rubbed in aromatic Yemeni hawayej, fire-roasted until deeply charred and juicy, served over swoops of velvet garlic tahini with blistered sweet peppers, a refreshing herb-pomegranate salad, and fragrant sizzling cashew crunch.

Yael Mizrahi
Yael Mizrahi
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
4
medium
dinner
mediterranean feastfire roastedbeef ribeyetahini+1

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Timeline

48 minutes
0m15m30m45m
Season Beef Ribeyes
Whip Velvet Tahini
Toss Herb Salad
Blister Sweet Peppers
Fire-Roast Ribeyes
Make Sizzling Crunch
Carve and Assemble Feast

Ingredients

  • 2 steaks bone-in beef ribeye steaks (about 1.5 inches thick)(approx. 1 lb / 450g each, brought to room temperature)
  • 1.5 tsp ground cumin(divided; 1 tsp for spice rub, 0.5 tsp for sizzling crunch)
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric(for spice rub)
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper(freshly cracked, for spice rub)
  • 1 tsp ground coriander(for spice rub)
  • 0.5 tsp ground cardamom(for spice rub)
  • 2.5 tsp flaky sea salt(divided; 2 tsp for meat and seasoning, 0.5 tsp for finishing)
  • 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil(divided; for rubbing, roasting, frying, and dressing)
  • 8 oz sweet mini peppers or baby Romano peppers(stems left intact)
  • 0.66 cup raw sesame tahini(high-quality, stirred well)
  • 4 tbsp fresh lemon juice(divided; 3 tbsp for tahini, 1 tbsp for salad)
  • 2 cloves garlic(finely grated)
  • 0.5 cup ice water(very cold, added gradually)
  • 0.33 cup raw cashews(roughly chopped)
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds(lightly bruised in a mortar)
  • 1 tsp Aleppo pepper flakes(or Maras pepper)
  • 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley(tender leaves and soft stems)
  • 0.5 cup fresh mint leaves(lightly torn)
  • 0.5 cup pomegranate seeds(fresh arils)
  • 1 small shallot(very thinly sliced into rounds)
  • 1 tsp ground sumac(for dressing salad)
  • 1.5 tbsp pomegranate molasses(for final drizzle)
  • 1 roll paper towels(for patting steaks dry)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat dry 2 steaks bone-in beef ribeye steaks (about 1.5 inches thick) with paper towels. In a small bowl, stir together 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp ground black pepper, 1 tsp ground coriander, 0.5 tsp ground cardamom, and 1.5 tsp flaky sea salt to create your quick hawayej spice blend. Rub both sides of the steaks with 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, then generously coat them with the spice mix, pressing it into the beef fat. Let the steaks temper at room temperature while you prepare the remaining elements.

    10 min

    Tip: Tempering the beef is essential—cold steak hitting a blazing fire drops your cooking surface temperature and turns your crust gray instead of deeply caramelized.

  2. 2

    Make the velvet garlic tahini: In a medium bowl, whisk together 0.66 cup raw sesame tahini, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic, and 0.5 tsp flaky sea salt. It will seize up and turn pasty—don't panic! Gradually stream in 0.5 cup ice water in 2-tablespoon splashes, whisking vigorously after each addition until it magically transforms into a pale, glossy, spreadable cream. Taste and adjust with extra salt or lemon if needed, then set aside.

    8 min

    Tip: Ice water is the secret to emulsifying tahini into that airy, cloud-like texture you get at the best Tel Aviv grill houses.

  3. 3

    Prepare the herb and pomegranate salad: In a bowl, toss 1 small shallot with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp ground sumac; let it sit for 5 minutes to lightly pickle. Add 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, 0.5 cup fresh mint leaves, 0.5 cup pomegranate seeds, and 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Gently toss with clean hands and keep cool.

    7 min

    Tip: Macerating the shallots in lemon and sumac softens their raw bite into sweet, floral acidity that cuts right through rich ribeye fat.

  4. 4

    Heat a heavy cast-iron grill pan or fire up an outdoor charcoal grill to roaring high heat. Toss 8 oz sweet mini peppers or baby Romano peppers in 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of 0.25 tsp flaky sea salt. Place them directly onto the hottest part of the fire or pan, turning occasionally until blistered, blackened in spots, and tender.

    8 min

    Tip: Do not peel away all that char—those blackened skins add deep, campfire sweetness to balance the luscious tahini.

  5. 5

    Transfer the charred peppers to a plate. Ensure your grill or pan is smoking hot. Lay 2 steaks bone-in beef ribeye steaks (about 1.5 inches thick) down. Sear undisturbed for 4 minutes until a deep, spiced mahogany crust forms. Flip and sear for another 3 to 4 minutes for medium-rare (internal temperature around 125°F-130°F / 52°C-54°C). Stand the steaks up on their fat caps with tongs for 1 minute to render and crisp the edges. Transfer to a wooden cutting board to rest for 8 to 10 minutes.

    10 min

    Tip: Resting is non-negotiable—it allows the interior juices to redistribute throughout the steak so every carve is silky and succulent.

  6. 6

    While the steaks are resting, prepare your sizzling crunch: In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Add 0.33 cup raw cashews and fry, swirling constantly, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1 tsp coriander seeds, 0.5 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp Aleppo pepper flakes. Let the spices foam and sizzle for 30 seconds until deeply aromatic, then immediately pull off the heat.

    5 min

    Tip: Pull the pan off the burner the second the spices foam; residual heat will toast them to perfection without turning the paprika bitter.

  7. 7

    Slice the rested ribeye against the grain into thick, generous ribbons. Spread the velvet garlic tahini across the base of a wide serving platter. Arrange the sliced ribeye down the center, flanked by the blistered sweet peppers. Spoon the sizzling cashew-coriander oil generously over the meat, scatter the vibrant pomegranate-herb salad across the top, and finish with a drizzle of 1.5 tbsp pomegranate molasses and remaining 0.25 tsp flaky sea salt.

    5 min

    Tip: Serve immediately while the beef is warm, the crunch is crackling, and the tahini stays cool and pillowy underneath.

Chef's Notes

In Tel Aviv, open-fire grilling is a communal ritual, and there is nothing quite like high heat hitting beef fat rubbed with warm cumin, turmeric, and cardamom. Hawayej brings an incredible golden savory warmth that elevates the natural richness of ribeye. Make sure to buy running tahini made purely from Ethiopian Humera sesame seeds for the creamiest mouthfeel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Fire-Roasted Hawayej Ribeye with Blistered Sweet Peppers, Sizzling Cashew-Coriander Crunch & Velvet Tahini take to make?

Fire-Roasted Hawayej Ribeye with Blistered Sweet Peppers, Sizzling Cashew-Coriander Crunch & Velvet Tahini takes about 45 minutes total. That includes 25 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 4 servings.

What skill level is needed for Fire-Roasted Hawayej Ribeye with Blistered Sweet Peppers, Sizzling Cashew-Coriander Crunch & Velvet Tahini?

This recipe is rated medium — it's intermediate, requiring some cooking experience.

What ingredients do I need for Fire-Roasted Hawayej Ribeye with Blistered Sweet Peppers, Sizzling Cashew-Coriander Crunch & Velvet Tahini?

The main ingredients are: bone-in beef ribeye steaks (about 1.5 inches thick), ground cumin, ground turmeric, ground black pepper, ground coriander, ground cardamom, flaky sea salt, extra virgin olive oil, sweet mini peppers or baby Romano peppers, raw sesame tahini, fresh lemon juice, garlic, ice water, raw cashews, coriander seeds, Aleppo pepper flakes, fresh flat-leaf parsley, fresh mint leaves, pomegranate seeds, small shallot, ground sumac, pomegranate molasses, paper towels.

What type of meal is Fire-Roasted Hawayej Ribeye with Blistered Sweet Peppers, Sizzling Cashew-Coriander Crunch & Velvet Tahini?

Fire-Roasted Hawayej Ribeye with Blistered Sweet Peppers, Sizzling Cashew-Coriander Crunch & Velvet Tahini is categorized as: dinner.