All posts filed under: FOOD

Easy Falafel Wrap with Creamy Homemade Tahini Sauce

Imagine biting into a warm, freshly toasted flatbread. Inside, golden falafel—crispy on the outside, tender and fragrant on the inside—meets a rich, creamy homemade tahini sauce. Add a refreshing tomato-cucumber salad, a bright pop of red sumac, and aromatic Middle Eastern spices. This isn’t just a quick lunch or dinner. It is a journey for your senses, bringing the vibrant flavors of street food markets straight to your kitchen. Best of all? This healthy falafel wrap recipe is 100% vegan, naturally dairy-free, and easily gluten-free. It is budget-friendly, incredibly simple to make, and tastes a million times better than anything store-bought because you control exactly what goes into it.

Saffron, Roses & Mother’s Love – 20 Simple Recipes for Mother’s Day

Saffron, Roses & Mother’s Love – 20 Simple Recipes for Mother’s Day

Treat your mom to a full day of pampering! Step away from the daily grind and step into a world filled with vibrant aromas, colors, and heartfelt moments. Often, it’s the smallest gestures that stay with us the longest: a quiet breakfast in the morning sun, sharing a laugh over a steaming cup of tea, or the simple joy of a beautifully set table. Looking for a unique gift idea this year? Why not surprise her with a handwritten voucher for a private dinner at home? Or perhaps a carefully packed picnic basket filled with exotic Persian treats for a relaxing afternoon outdoors? Whatever you choose, I wish you a wonderful Mother’s Day. Fill your day with love, laughter, and plenty of joy!

Meygoo Polo Bandari – Shrimp Rice with Fresh Herbs میگو پلو

Meygoo Polo Bandari – Shrimp Rice with Fresh Herbs میگو پلو brings together all the flavors of Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and Khuzestan in the south of Persia. In Farsi, Meygoo means shrimp and Polo means rice – so quite simply, it’s shrimp with rice. The cuisine of southern Iran, along the Persian Gulf, is colorful, diverse, and influenced by many cultures. Traders and travelers from India, Africa, and Arabia all came to this region and left their unique cultural footprints behind. Meygoo Polo, also known as Havari Polo, is a true classic of southern Persian cooking and, for me, one of the most delicious rice dishes in Iran. Firm, juicy shrimp, fresh herbs, and warm oriental spices are layered between fragrant basmati rice – creating a dish that is both comforting and full of exotic flavors.

Easiest Barbari Bread Ever! (Quick Air Fryer Method)

Easiest Barbari Bread Ever! (Quick Air Fryer Method)

Let’s be honest: we all love the scent of freshly baked bread, right? But in the real world, who actually has the time to pamper dough for hours or watch it “meditate” on the kitchen counter? That’s exactly why I’m sharing The World’s Easiest Barbari Bread Ever (Quick Air Fryer Method) with you today. It’s the ultimate fix for anyone craving those bold Middle Eastern flavors but possessing the patience of a fruit fly! If you’ve been following me, you know I’m usually a huge fan of slow food. I already have a recipe for traditional Nan-e Barbari here on the blog that uses overnight fermentation and just a tiny pinch of yeast. It’s a total dream for foodies! But let’s be real: when that craving for Persian flatbread hits you RIGHT NOW, an overnight proofing method just isn’t going to cut it. Sometimes, you just need the “express route” to carb heaven. Watch my prep video on Instagram

Tender Persian Lamb Gigot - Easy Laura Ashley Slow Cooker Recipe

Tender Persian Lamb Gigot – Easy Laura Ashley Slow Cooker Recipe

*In collaboration with MyVQ* Imagine waking up to a kitchen filled with the scent of an exotic bazaar. Warm cinnamon, earthy cumin, and the unmistakable aroma of Tender Persian Lamb Gigot – Easy Laura Ashley Slow Cooker Recipe. You didn’t spend all morning over a hot stove, instead, you prepared everything the night before in your Laura Ashley slow cooker*, and the magic happened while you slept. This isn’t your average Sunday roast. This is a Persian-style Lamb Gigot, slow-cooked for 12 hours until it is so tender it practically melts off the bone. It’s the perfect centerpiece for Easter or any special family gathering where you want maximum flavor with minimum effort. Watch my preparation video on Instagram

Tahchin-e Morgh – Persian Saffron Rice Cake with a Golden Tahdig Crust

Imagine cutting into a golden, crispy rice cake and discovering layers of tender, saffron-marinated chicken hidden inside. That’s Tahchin-e Morgh – Persian Saffron Rice Cake with a Golden Tahdig Crust, one of the most iconic dishes of Persian cuisine. It is more than just a meal, it’s a showstopper. This aromatic Persian saffron rice cake is famous for its beautiful golden look and hidden layers of tender, marinated chicken. The name itself tells a story: “Tah” means bottom, and “Chin” means to arrange. Together, Tahchin describes how the ingredients are carefully layered or “arranged on the bottom” of the pot to create a masterpiece. When flipped onto a plate, the rice cake reveals its crispy, golden exterior and soft, aromatic interior. It’s sliced like a cake, and every guest gets a piece of that irresistible crust. No wonder Tahchin-e Morgh is often served at weddings, celebrations, and festive gatherings. Watch my preparation video on Instagram

Noon-e Khame-i - Rose and Pistachio Persian Cream Puffs

Noon-e Khame-i – Rose and Pistachio Persian Cream Puffs

When Norooz arrives, our tea table is never complete without a platter of Noon-e Khame-i – Rose and Pistachio Persian Cream Puffs. These beautiful Persian cream puffs are made with a delicate choux pastry—light, airy, and baked with love. What makes my version special is the pastry itself. While many recipes rely on milk for the dough, I’ve found that a milk-free choux pastry results in an incredibly crisp and light shell that lets the flavors of the filling truly shine. Each puff is stuffed with freshly whipped sweet cream, infused with fragrant rosewater and crunchy chopped pistachios for a taste that is wonderfully creamy and floral. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and a sprinkle of bright green pistachios, they are the ultimate celebration treat. Bonus for busy bakers: You can even freeze the unbaked dough! Just let it thaw at room temperature before popping them in the oven for a fresh-baked taste anytime. From a dreamy Valentine’s Day dessert to a sophisticated Mother’s Day brunch, these Persian cream puffs are made for …

Nan-e Nokhodchi – Vegan & Gluten-Free Chickpea Cookies

Nan-e Nokhodchi – Vegan & Gluten-Free Chickpea Cookies

Eyde Azizan Mobarak! Happy Norooz! During the Persian New Year (Norooz), the air is filled with the scent of spring and the joy of Eyd Didani (visiting loved ones). If you’ve ever stepped into a Persian home during Norooz, you know that Nan-e Nokhodchi— Vegan & Gluten-Free Chickpea Cookies, those iconic, clover-shaped are the stars of the Haft-Sin table. In Iran, stopping by the local bakery to grab a fresh box of these treats for Did va Bazdid (visiting friends and family) is a cherished tradition. But there is something even more special about bringing a tray of homemade, melt-in-your-mouth Persian cookies to a celebration.

Saffron Bamieh and the Persian Engagement

Saffron Bamieh and the Persian Engagement

An engagement is truly one of the most beautiful days in a person’s life. In Persia, this special milestone is inseparable from the aroma of Saffron Bamieh. If you aren’t familiar with them, think of a Persian take on the Mexican Churro, but with a luxurious twist. While the shape may be similar, we refine our dough with precious saffron before frying it to a golden crisp. The magic happens next: a fragrant syrup of rosewater, saffron, cardamom, and honey drenches the warm pastries. In our culture, Saffron Bamieh, Zoolbia and the Persian engagement go together “like a lid on a pot.” It is the ultimate “must-eat” for every ceremony, though you will also find it gracing the tables of Norooz (Persian New Year) and Ramadan, usually served alongside its famous partner, Zoolbia. Today, I want to take you by the hand and lead you through my story of tradition—a journey into the vibrant, colorful world of 1001 Nights. Watch my prep video on Instagram 

15 popular Norooz recipes

Norooz, the Persian New Year, marks the Spring Equinox and feels like a deep, collective exhale for the soul. It is a season of shedding the old and welcoming the new with open hearts. A sentiment that resonates more deeply than ever for Iranians this year. Even when the world feels heavy, we hold onto our traditions. They are our anchor. Through my 15 favorite Norooz recipes, I’m inviting you into our home to experience the flavors and hope of the Persian New Year.