Norooz is coming, and we are all and about preparing for our Persian New Year celebration. To keep the children occupied and bring some Norooz spirits, I created a free Norooz Haft Sin Freebie for you and your kids to set up. Crafting with children is a lovely pastime. Enjoy!
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.
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.
My friendly soul welcomes you today with a smile and a special treat I’ve prepared for the upcoming Christmas celebration – Gluten-Free Baklava Triangles. The geometric splendor of Oriental architecture inspired me, so what do you think about my Middle Eastern response to the typically German Nut Corners? Did you know that I have an obsession with nuts? In particular, for almonds and pistachios? It’s no wonder that Baklava is one of my favorite desserts. During festivities in the Middle East, be it our Nowruz celebration, religious ceremonies, weddings, or Ramadan, Baklava is prepared as a symbol of abundance and communal joy.
This year Nowrooz is overshadowed by the violence against the people of Iran. We do not feel like celebrating this year, so I have designed my Haft Sin in the sign of peace. I have directed my peace sign on porose facing upwards, as the tree growing upwards stands for life and its new beginning, hoping for a new Beginning in Iran. The tree pointing downwards, as we know it from the Peace sign, means death or the end. I placed six wooden bowls with Samanoo, Sumach, Sekeh, Senjed, Sir, and Sib around my Sabzeh. I have explained the meaning of the symbols in this post. Flowers and candles in the trend color “Viva Magenta” are placed in vases and on glass and wooden chandeliers. I hope you like my Haft Sin Impressions 2023 هفت سین ۱۴۰۲. Watch Video on Instagram
Preparations for NOROOZ – The Celebration of Renewal نوروز starts about 2 weeks before with the sprouting of wheat, barley, or lentil seeds, which will turn into “sabzeh” in 2 weeks.
Monday was the beginning of spring and the same time as our New Year Norooz. On this day, many dishes are prepared with fresh herbs traditionally, for example, Sabzi Polo – Persian Herb Rice سبزی پلو ، Sabzi Polo ba Mahi – Persian herb rice with orange stuffed trout, Kuku Sabzi – Persian Herb Frittata , Ashe Reshteh – noodle soup with herbs, and Sabzi Khordan – Persian herb platter. Sabzi means herbs, and polo means rice, that is herbed rice. Tender fresh herbs are the first signs of spring, and in my Sabzi Polo, chopped dill, parsley, cilantro, scallions, a whole bulb of garlic, ghee, and saffron add a delicious touch to the rice. As in many Persian dishes, the herbs in Sabzi Polo vary, and each family has its favorite recipe. Watch Video on Instagram
Toot – Persian Marzipan Mulberry شیرینی توت is served on Nowrooz day and persian weddings. Toot is a vegan, gluten free, and no-bake treat. Toot means mulberry in Farsi. Use different food color or saffron to pep up your Toot.
Sofreye Haft Sin Sofreh is a Persian tablecloth. On this tablecloth 7 symbolic elements are dished up for Norooz our Persian New Year, which begin with the letter “S” in Farsi. The number seven is a sacred number. Watch Video on Instagram
On the last Tuesday evening before the Persian New Year, we celebrate Chaharshanbeh Suri – The Persian Festival. Several rituals are performed on this fire festival to purify the body and mind. Chaharshanbeh means Wednesday, and Suri means light and also fire. In my childhood, this caused some confusion. Why is it called Wednesday and celebrated on Tuesday? It’s the last night to Wednesday before Norooz, the Persian New Year, a festival celebrated at the spring equinox. The Origin of this festival dates back to the Zoroastrian era based on the Tsarathustra’s beliefs. On this day, we celebrate the victory of light over darkness. After all, we are approaching the equinox in a few days. The Fire Festival is an announcement of spring and the revival of nature. Watch Video on Instagram
