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 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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Welcome to the magical world of baking, where the classic Bundt cake becomes an oriental dream! My Middle Eastern Style Bundt cake takes you into the Arabian Nights with exotic flavors and enchanting aromas. For my Middle Eastern Bundt cake, you need soft butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, flour, and baking powder. To create that oriental flair, add cardamom and rose water to the batter.
Your kitchen will be filled with a mix of spices and floral fragrances, giving it the aroma of an oriental fairy tale. A delightful buttercream infused with rose water covers the bundt cake, adorned with crushed pistachios and rose petals. This ensures the cake stays moist and tastes absolutely delicious. My oriental bundt cake is not just visually stunning; it’s also a genuine taste adventure. It’s sure to be a showstopper on your dessert table!
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.
BOO! HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Are you searching for a recipe for Halloween and your horror party? Why not bake my Pumpkin Donut Ghosts and Monsters for Halloween? My monsters and ghosts look more cute than scary and are perfect for the softies among Halloween fans. You need pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, olive oil, flour, baking powder, and homemade Pumpkin Spice for this. The spices I use for the homemade Pumpkin Spice are Cinnamon, Nutmeg, powdered cloves, and powdered ginger. Just mix them and add to the dough. For this recipe, you need pumpkin puree from a nutmeg pumpkin. Since I tend to make lots of pumpkin puree on hand and freeze it, I can start baking the donuts right away. If you don’t have pumpkin puree on hand, you can find the recipe here.
