All posts tagged: winter

Khorak-e Loobia Chiti – Persian Pinto Bean Stew لوبیا چیتی

Khorak-e Loobia Chiti – Persian Pinto Bean Stew لوبیا چیتی

Welcome to a culinary adventure that will enchant your taste buds! Today, I’m taking you on a journey through the rich and delicious world of easy Persian cuisine. Our destination? A dish that not only delights the palate but also warms the soul: Khorak-e Loobia Chiti – Persian Pinto Bean Stew لوبیا چیتی. Are you a fan of the traditional British dish “Baked Beans”? Then, it’s about time to take a culinary trip to the Middle East and discover the vegetarian Persian bean stew made from pinto or quail beans. This stew is the perfect alternative to the classic Baked Beans with its savory flavors, rich textures, and spices. Dive into the world of Persian taste and let yourself be inspired by this delicious dish! Watch my preparationvideo on Instagram

Cake Sib - Persian Apple Cake with Pistachios کیک سیب

Cake Sib – Persian Apple Cake with Pistachios کیک سیب

I hope you had a great Christmas and are looking forward to the beginning of the New Year. Today, I have for you a simple apple cake based to my grandmother’s old recipe – Cake Sib – Persian apple cake with pistachios کیک سیب. At this time of year, cakes with apples taste extra delicious. Since I used cinnamon and other winter spices, it is also perfect for the Christmas and winter season. But we also love to eat it all year round. Bake the cake, and your home will be filled with the scent of 1001 nights.

Salad-e Anar ba Morgh- Pomegranate Chicken Salad سالاد انار و مرغ

Salad-e Anar ba Morgh- Pomegranate Chicken Salad سالاد انار و مرغ

If you want to prepare a unique chicken salad to delight your taste buds, I recommend my Salad-e Anar ba Morgh – Chicken Pomegranate Salad (سالاد انار و مرغ). Here, the flavors of the world come together. The bright red pearls give the salad a sweet and sour note and a nice crunch. The chicken, eggs, pickled cucumber, and cilantro are a treat to the taste buds. I chose cilantro for this recipe, but if you don’t like it, you can use parsley or mint instead. The recipe is easy and quick to prepare, perfect for Shab-e Yalda, a festive menu, or New Year’s Eve. You can find more typical dishes for Shab-e Yalda here. We like to serve it as an appetizer, which we call Mazeh (Mezze).

Shabe Yalda - Yalda Night

Shabe Yalda – Yalda Night

We celebrate the longest and darkest night of the year, known as Shabe Yalda – Yalda Night, in Iran. After this night, the days become longer again, the nights shorter, and light triumphs over darkness. Yalda signifies the birth of light and the sun. Friends and family gather on this night at the home of the oldest family members to celebrate the Festival of Joy until dawn. Here are my recipes for Shab-e Yalda; enjoy preparing and celebrating!

Shirini Pofaki Gerdoee - Gluten-Free Walnut Cookies - شیرینی پفکی گردویی

Shirini Pofaki Gerdoee – Gluten-Free Walnut Cookies – شیرینی پفکی گردویی

Shirini Pofaki Gerdoee – gluten-free walnut cookies – شیرینی پفکی گردویی is also known as Pich Anghoshti and is a specialty from the city of Tabriz. These gluten- and lactose-free cookies are popular due to their simple and quick preparation. The dough is also butter- and oil-free. Shape them into small hoops and garnish with a half walnut. The gluten-free walnut cookies are crispy and hollow, with some walnut pieces. The aromas melt together, creating a fragrant bouquet that reminds you of oriental gardens. The roasted walnuts, cardamom, and vanilla give these cookies an irresistible character.

Dolmeh Kadu Halvai – Stuffed Pumpkin دلمه کدو حلوایی

Dolmeh Kadu Halvai – Stuffed Pumpkin دلمه کدو حلوایی

Pumpkin always tastes good in autumn and winter, especially when it’s filled and comes out of the oven. Why not give this stuffed nut pumpkin in a Persian version a try. Today, I prepared Dolmeh Kadu Halvai – stuffed pumpkin دلمه کدو حلوایی with flavorful oriental ingredients. The nutmeg pumpkin is filled with savory ground lamb, aromatic rice, crunchy yellow split peas, golden saffron, fresh herbs, and oriental spices. The stuffed pumpkin is topped with sweet and sour pomegranate syrup for a tangy touch. Bake it in the oven until the nutmeg pumpkin is soft and tender, allowing the flavors in the filling to blend. This savory recipe is perfect for Shabe Yalda or your Christmas dinner. Comfort Food at its Best!

Oriental Christmas Stollen

Oriental Christmas Stollen

With a smile on my lips and a heart packed with creativity, I created an Oriental Christmas stollen. Instead of the usual ingredients, I use dates, figs, apricots and delicious pistachios, which we have in large quantities in Persia. My Oriental Christmas Stollen reflects the flavors of Oriental cuisine while capturing the spirit of the festive season. The fruits and nuts inside the Oriental Christmas stollen shine like jewels, giving the stollen a characteristic taste. The exquisite oriental spices delight all the senses and take you back to 1001 nights.

Anar Polo ba Morgh – Pomegranate Rice with Chicken انار پلو با مرغ

Anar Polo ba Morgh – Pomegranate Rice with Chicken انار پلو با مرغ

Rice is a staple food in Persian cuisine that we prepare artfully. We have a long tradition of preparing rice, as seen in our various rice dishes. The preparation of rice sometimes has a festive character, so we prepare different rice dishes for specific celebrations. My dish today is one of them, which I prepared for the longest night of the year – Shab-e Yalda (شب یلدا). Anar Polo ba Morgh – Rice with chicken fillet and pomegranate انار پلو با مرغ is also called Nar Polo and is a delicious Persian dish that is prepared either with chicken or meat. Watch Preparation Video on Instagram

Kalam Polo Shirazi – Cabbage Rice with Meatballs

Kalam Polo Shirazi – Cabbage Rice with Meatballs

Lately, the weather has been dull, chilly, and rainy. Are you craving some comfort food that feels like a warm hug for both your body and soul, just like sun rays on a gloomy day? Kalam Polo Shirazi – Saffron Herb Rice with Pointed Cabbage and Meatballs, is a simple, tasty, and popular Persian rice dish. “Kalam” means cabbage, and “polo” is our beloved rice. You can make Kalam Polo with white cabbage or kohlrabi, but I enjoy the taste of pointed cabbage. I recently got a lovely pointed cabbage from the farmer’s market. Watch Preparation Video on Instagram 

Soup-e Djo Parak – Barley Flakes Soup سوپ جو پرک

Soup-e Djo Parak – Barley Flakes Soup سوپ جو پرک

Fall is not all about the golden side, as it is currently gray, windy, and wet. So, how about a warm soup that warms both body and soul? Today’s recipe – Soup-e Djo Parak – Persian barley flake soup سوپ جو پرک – makes you feel cozy. The soup is rich, thanks to barley flakes, chicken breasts, and a carrot. Spices such as turmeric and tomato paste add a delicious aroma and a beautiful color. The barley soup is sprinkled with chopped parsley and served with freshly squeezed lime juice. A healthy soup that also helps cure a cold. Watch Preparation Video on Instagram