Do you see the jewels glowing in the rice? All ingredients in Javahar Polo – Persian Jeweled Rice, look like gems and make the rice shine. Barberries and pomegranate seeds shine like rubies, pistachios glow as emeralds, saffron rice, carrots shine like gold, and almonds like pearls. Be sure to try the recipe, a 1001 Night’s Dream.
Vavishka is a quick and easy Persian skillet dish, a speciality from Gilan at the Caspian Sea. In Gilan it is called “Vavij” or “Vabij” which means steaming. There are various versions of Vavishka. I prepared Vavishka from minced meat, onions, tomatoes, and seasoned it with turmeric, lemon juice, Advieh – a Persian spice blend and topped it with eggs. The unique flavor of this dish is the spice blend Advieh – the jewel among the spices of the Persian cuisine. It gives the dish a warm, sweet floral flavor. If you don’t have Advieh use these ingredients: 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp mixed cardamom, 1 tsp rose petal powder, 1/2 tsp mixed saffron, 1/2 tsp mixed coriander, 1 tsp dried lime powder and some nutmeg. Vary the ingredients according to your own taste. It goes best with Nan-e Barbari – Persian flatbread, Nan-e Taftoon – Persian pan-fried Nan bread, Salad Shirazi – Persian tomato and cucumber salad and Sabzi Khordan – Persian herb platter, Sir Torsi – pickled garlic, Torshi – pickled vegetables or …
Zereshk Polo ba Morgh – Persian Barberry Rice With Chicken is a simple, aromatic and traditonal persian dish, and a must have on a festive table. Zereshk Polo ba Morgh is a dish of tender chicken drumsticks braised in saffron and served with fragrant saffron rice and caramelized sweet and sour barberries. Zereshk means barberries, polo rice, and morgh is simply chicken. Some Persians add tomato paste to the chicken drumsticks, but I personally prefer the pure flavor of saffron and bay leaves. This recipe can also be cooked with chicken breast or even a whole chicken.
Bastani Sonati or the traditional Faloodeh are most popular ice cream delights in Persia. Also Yakh dar Behesht-e Anar – Persian Pomegranate Granité یخ در بهشت انار is one of the most popular ice creams, especially in autumn. We love preparing it for Shab-e Yalda (winter solstice), which is the longest night of the year. Yakh means ice, and Behesht means heaven, so freely translated it means ice in heaven. My granité is a heavenly ice cream made with pomegranate juice, fresh mint, lemon, water and sugar. It is prepared without an ice cream maker, tastes sweet and sour at the same time, our absolute favorite flavor. We served it in a glass with a straw and spoon. An unique experience, as the crystalline in the ice cream melts softly on the tongue. Yakh dar Behesht is gluten-, fat- and dairy-free, so it’s perfect for people with allergies, vegetarians and vegans. Treat yourself with this ice-cold treat!
Are you also one of those who love oranges? Well, today I have a delicious Persian chicken dish for you. Khoresht-e Porteghal – Orange Chicken Legs خورش پرتقال is a typical dish from the north of Iran. Full of Persian flavors and a delightful combination of chicken and oranges in a Shomali style. In case you want to impress your guests at Christmas, you can also prepare this recipe with duck or goose. For a colorful effect just replace the oranges with blood oranges. It is super easy to prepare, but it should simmer for about 1 hour to ensure tenderness. The meat will fall off the bone. The recipe Khoresht-e Porteghal – Orange Chicken Legs خورش پرتقال is my post for my blog event #Kochenfueriran.
Musicians write songs, artists draw paintings against the injustices in Iran and I would like to be the voice of those who urgently need to be heard with my blog event #Kochenfueriran today. Namely, the voice of my fellow countrymen who have been fighting for democracy, human rights, justice and a free Iran on the streets of Iran for months. Today I invite you to cook or bake a Persian recipe to show our solidarity with the brave women and men of Iran. It can be an appetizer, main dish, dessert or drink, it is entirely up to you. The dish should be typical Iranian or a dish developed by you, but with an Iranian touch. For more visibility, against violence and oppression in Iran and for freedom. Zan Zendeghi Azadi. Find more details on my Blog. Zan Zendeghi Azad
Autumn has been mild so far in Germany, but now it’s here and it s time to heat the oven again. Pumpkin is one of the healthy autumn favorites! But it doesn’t always have to be the Hokkaido pumpkin, so why not try the butternut squash? When the aroma of Hasselback butternut squash with feta, pistachio pesto, and pomegranate seeds spreads throughout the kitchen, an autumn feel-good feeling is sure in very quickly. Doesn’t it look colorful on the plate? I love the colors. It is also proven that the more colorful it looks on your plate, the healthier your food is. My recipe is really easy peasy, quick to prepare, low carb, vegetarian and perfect as an after-work dinner.
*Ad in cooperation with Rheinhessenwein e.V. and Gourmet Connection* I was so excited as the invitation of Rheinhessenwein and Gourmet Connection for the “Rhoihessian Cooking duel” arrived. Last year I was already invited and unfortunately could not participate. I´m so grateful that I was asked again this year. As the day of the Cooking contest got closer, I became more and more excited. I have never participated in such a cooking battle and this contest will be even filmed. Am I up to it at all, do I manage to cook the dish of a chef without any recipe and even stay within the given time of 90 minutes?
Today I welcome autumn with a dream in green. My delicious apple mint jelly gives pleasure to the palate and eyes at the same time. Quite fancy with mint, which also provides some freshness. This tastes very fine, and also looks great. In my green apple mint jelly, the finely chopped mint leaves are a great eye-catcher. One half I dyed with green food coloring* and the other half I left natural. The jelly is great as a fruity spread for breakfast. Filled in pretty glasses, the Apple Mint Jelly is also a fancy gift idea. In addition, a great souvenir for friends, parties, or brunch. You can use apple mint jelly as a spread, for baking, or as an ingredient in desserts or compotes. It also tastes delicious as a side dish to cheese platters!
Koofteh Rizeh – Lamb meatballs with mint in Tomato Sauce کوفته ریزه is also called Gheymeh Rizeh (قیمه ریزه), Kale Ghondjishki (کله گنجشکی) or Ghermez Rizeh (قرمز ریزه ). It is a traditional and popular dish from the marvelous city of Isfahan. These simple meatballs are prepared without any use of breadcrumbs, bread, or egg, and instead, chickpea flour is used. The meatballs are mixed with minced lamb, onions, turmeric, dried, and finely grated mint. Then the meatballs simmer in a spicy sauce made with tomato paste, onions, turmeric, and dried mint. Persian Sangak or Taftoon bread is commonly served with meatballs to soak up the tomato sauce. Serve with a bit of torshi (pickled vegetables) and everybody is satisfied. A filling dish that can be prepared quickly.
