#vegan#lunch#mediterraneanPublished 14 October 2026

Rice and Yapse AKA Beans Stew

This is one of the most popular lunch dishes in both Iraqi and Turkish cuisine. Growing up Iraqi, I ate it regularly, so it holds a special, nostalgic place in my heart. Now, it’s also one of my husband’s favorite meals to come home to after a long day at work. And honestly, the real secret is the salad, even more than the main dish! I'll be sharing the salad recipe separately.

Rice and Yapse AKA Beans Stew
140 min total
Prep
20min
Cook
120min
Total
140min
Difficulty
Easy
Serves
2people

method

0 of 3 steps done
  1. Making the stew

    Heat a stainless steel pot until it reaches the Leidenfrost effect. To test it, sprinkle a few drops of water into the pot. If they form small beads that glide across the surface, the pot is ready. Sauté the onion until golden brown, then add the beans and stir for a few seconds. Pour in enough water to cover the beans by about 2 cm. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and cook until the beans are completely tender. Then add the lemon juice and salt to your taste.

  2. Prepare White Rice

    Bring a pot of water to a boil. Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water, then add it to the boiling water with salt. Let it boil until fully cooked and tender, then drain it using a sieve. In the same pot, add a little olive oil, then return the drained rice to the pot. Cover and leave it to steam over low heat for about 10 minutes.

  3. Serving

    Serve it with yogurt, olives, and salad to fully enjoy the meal.

units,
explained.

I cook by weight whenever I can. Here is what every unit on this site means. The ones used in this recipe are highlighted.

UnitShortEqualsIn real life
Gram g1/1000 kg · 28 g ≈ 1 ozA paperclip weighs about 1 g
Kilogram kg1000 g ≈ 2.2 lbA bag of sugar
Millilitre ml1/1000 l · 1 ml of water = 1 gA fifth of a teaspoon
Litre l1000 ml ≈ 4¼ cupsA large water bottle
Teaspoon in this recipetsp5 mlA level measuring spoon, not the one you stir tea with
Tablespoon tbsp3 tsp = 15 mlA level soup spoon
Cup cup240 ml (US) · 16 tbspWeight depends on what's in it: 1 cup flour ≈ 120 g
Piece pcOne whole itemOne egg, one onion, one clove: medium unless I say otherwise
Pinch pinch≈ 1/16 tspWhat fits between thumb and finger