All posts tagged: Picnic

Shirazi Salad – Authentic Persian Recipe with 3 Dressing Options

*Sponsored post featuring the Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener* Craving something fresh and light? Then my Shirazi Salad – Authentic Persian Recipe with 3 dressing options is just what you need. This traditional Iranian salad wins you over with its simplicity, fresh ingredients, and a flavor that instantly reminds you of warm summer days. But let’s be honest: have you ever tried dicing tomatoes with a dull knife? Instead of neat little cubes, you end up with squashed pieces and tomato juice all over your cutting board. It doesn’t just ruin the look of your salad – it changes the taste, too. Here’s the secret: the magic is in the details. The finer and more evenly you chop, the more beautifully the salad comes together. Since I started using my Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener*, this has completely changed. My knife glides effortlessly through cucumbers, tomatoes hold their perfect shape, and even onions are easy to chop without tears. Cooking feels almost like meditation – and the salad not only looks stunning, it tastes so …

Mast-o Musir – Persian Shallot Yogurt Dip

What could be better than a refreshing Persian dip to serve alongside your BBQ favorites? Let me introduce you to my creamy Mast-o Musir – Persian Shallot Yoghurt Dip. If you love tzatziki or garlic dips but hate that strong garlic breath afterwards, Mast-o Musir will be your new best friend. It’s mild, nutty, delicately garlicky, and beautifully aromatic – without overpowering your palate. In Iran, this dip is traditionally served with kabab fresh from the grill, but honestly, I could happily enjoy it with just warm Nan-e Barbari, Persian flatbread. Watch my preparation video on Instagram

Baghali Pokhte – Healthy Street Food from Iran

Come with me on a little journey into the world of Persian street food! Baghali Pokhte – Healthy Street Food from Iran – is a true spring and summer favorite. We love it so much that we even dry the beans, so we can enjoy them in autumn and winter too. Honestly, every Persian is crazy about this snack – even kids can’t resist. If you like edamame, you’ll definitely fall for Baghali Pokhte. The fun part is how you eat it: you squeeze the bean out of its tough outer skin to get to the soft, tender center. Then you pop it into your mouth and enjoy the nutty, creamy goodness. Simple but so satisfying. For flavor, we season Baghali Pokhte with Golpar (Persian hogweed spice), a little salt, and a splash of lemon juice or vinegar. That’s all it takes to turn these beans into an irresistible, healthy snack. Curious about Golpar? I’ve written about it before – you’ll usually only find it in Persian grocery shops. Watch my preparation video on Instagram

Morabay-e Albaloo – Persian Sour Cherry Jam

In every Persian home, Morabay-e Albaloo – Persian Sour Cherry Jam carries sweet childhood memories. I still remember waking up to the smell of freshly baked Nan-e Barbari, hearing the gentle clink of tea glasses, and seeing this deep ruby-red jam glistening in a small glass bowl on the breakfast table. My grandmother would always say that a good Morabay-e Albaloo should have whole cherries floating in a thick syrup, like little jewels. She believed serving this jam to guests was a sign of love and care, and to this day, every spoonful reminds me of her warm kitchen, her floral apron, and the simple joy of gathering with family to start the day with something sweet. Watch my preparation video on Instagram

Adasi – Persian Lentil Spread

I love lentils! Do you love them as much as I do? If so, I have a super creamy recipe for you today. Adasi – Persian Lentil Spread is vegan and is full of rich flavors. To start with, this vegan spread uses green mountain lentils and always belongs on a mezze table. In Iran, people serve it as part of the Mazeh (mezze). The best thing is, spices like turmeric, garlic, allspice, cumin, and coriander fill your kitchen with warmth and fragrance. Plus, orange and lime juice add a fresh, fruity touch. You can simply spread it on lavash bread , and enjoy every bite. If you prefer, dip veggie sticks or chips into it for a quick snack. When you store it in a jar with a lid, it stays fresh in the fridge for up to four days. Just remember to take it out about 15 minutes before eating so it reaches room temperature and the flavors truly shine. Give it a try today and taste the difference! Watch my preparation video …

Salad-e Olivieh – Russian Potato Salad with a Persian Twist

Salad-e Olivieh (سالاد الیویه), our Persian take on the old Russian classic, is the kind of dish that is showed up at every Nowruz (Persian New Year), picnic, Sizdah Bedar (the 13th day of the New Year), every birthday, and last-minute dinner when guests drop by. Creamy, comforting, and familiar, it’s made with soft potatoes, cooked chicken, tender peas, carrots, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and those sharp, crunchy persian pickles that made your mouth water before the first bite. Served cold as Mazeh, as a sandwich filler, wrapped in fresh lavash bread or spooned onto a plate as a side dish to Kotlet, Salad-e Olivieh – Russian Potato Salad with a Persian Twist is a little taste of home — something moms packed into school lunches with love, or that sat waiting in the fridge like a quiet promise of comfort after a long day. Somehow, it always tasted like someone cared.

Kotlet – Persian Meat and Potato Patties

Let me introduce you to one of the most loved comfort foods from Persian kitchens: Kotlet – Persian Meat and Potato Patties, or as some say, Kotelett. These are delicious, golden-brown patties made from a simple but flavorful mix of ground meat, potatoes, onions, eggs, and spices. They’re wonderfully aromatic, with a perfect contrast in texture – crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Kotlets are quick to make and taste just as good cold as they do warm, which makes them perfect for everything from quick dinners to picnics or even lunchboxes. In our family, we love to enjoy them in different ways. Sometimes we serve them as a main dish, other times as a side to Salad-e Olivieh – a creamy Persian chicken and potato salad. But my absolute favorite? Wrapped in soft Lavash bread or tucked into a crusty baguette with a few simple toppings: fresh herbs, crunchy onions or scallions, juicy tomatoes, salty pickles, and a spoonful of creamy yogurt. It’s a flavor-packed sandwich that brings back so many childhood …

Joojeh Kabab for Sizdah Bedar – Saffron and Lemon Chicken

Joojeh Kabab for Sizdah Bedar – Saffron and Lemon Chicken is a beloved dish in Iran and beyond, and you’ll love how easy it is to make. First, marinate the chicken in a mixture of yogurt, lemon or lime juice, olive oil, onions, saffron, salt, and pepper. Don’t skip this step is as it infuses the chicken with incredible flavor and makes it tender. Next, grill the chicken either on a BBQ, in the oven, or in an Airfryer. The marinade not only keeps it juicy but also adds a slightly sweet and tangy taste that makes it irresistible. For this recipe, you’ll be using the oven-grilled method. Make sure to drain the chicken well before grilling and grill it without the marinade to get the perfect texture. To complete your meal, serve the kabab with wild rice and barberries, grilled tomatoes, and a refreshing Salad Shirazi. In Iran, you’ll find two types of Joojeh Kabab—one with the bone and one without. For this version, you’ll use boneless chicken breast, which absorbs the marinade beautifully …

Sekanjabin Cucumber Drink – Persian Mint Lemonade with Grated Cucumber

Happy Sizdah Bedar! Sizdah Bedar, the 13th day of the Persian New Year, wouldn’t be the same without a glass of chilled Sekanjabin Cucumber Drink – Persian Mint Lemonade with Grated Cucumber. It’s more than just a drink—it’s a taste of tradition, family, and the joy of celebrating together. Sekanjabin Cucumber Drink is the perfect way to cool down and refresh on a warm day. This Persian lemonade is made with mint syrup, water, a splash of lemon juice, and grated cucumber. What makes Persian mint syrup so special is the combination of white vinegar and nana mint. In Persian, nana means mint. The vinegar adds a unique sweet and sour touch that we Persians absolutely love. Watch my preparation video on Instagram

Salad-e Ranginkaman – Rainbow Salad

You know that feeling when you see a colorful plate of food and it just makes you happy? Food isn’t just something to fill your belly; it’s an experience that adds color and joy to our lives. That’s what this blogevent is all about! We’re coming together to show that colorful food isn’t just pretty – it’s also super tasty! Let’s dive into making Salad-e Ranginkaman – Rainbow Salad (سالاد رنگین کمان). It’s not only a treat for your eyes; it’s going to be a real delight for your taste buds! Watch my Video on Instagram!

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