All posts tagged: RECIPES

Zeytoon Parvardeh - Persian marinated Olives

Zeytoon Parvardeh – Persian marinated Olives

Are you a social person? Do you enjoy sitting with friends at a well-set table and having a good time? Then I have the perfect recipe for you because good food tastes even better when shared with family and friends. Zeytoon Parvardeh – Persian marinated Olives is a delicious side dish made with green olives, pomegranate molasses, verjuice, walnuts, aromatic fresh herbs, and garlic. Along the Caspian Sea in the Gilan province in northern Persia, Zeytoon Parvardeh are served as mezze or, as we call it, Mazeh, accompanying the main dishes. Give it a try, and I promise you, these are the best-marinated olives you’ve ever tasted. The preparation is simple and quick, and the flavor is delicious. You can also prepare it with dried herbs in case you don’t have fresh herbs. If you like, you can garnish it with pomegranate seeds. In just a few minutes, you’ll create a fantastic Mezze that is also a perfect gift from your kitchen. Fill the marinated olives into a beautiful jar and present it as a …

Cake Sib - Persian Apple Cake with Pistachios کیک سیب

Cake Sib – Persian Apple Cake with Pistachios کیک سیب

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.

Salad-e Anar ba Morgh- Pomegranate Chicken Salad سالاد انار و مرغ

Salad-e Anar ba Morgh- Pomegranate Chicken Salad سالاد انار و مرغ

If you want to prepare a unique chicken salad to delight your taste buds, I recommend my Salad-e Anar ba Morgh – Chicken Pomegranate Salad (سالاد انار و مرغ). Here, the flavors of the world come together. The bright red pearls give the salad a sweet and sour note and a nice crunch. The chicken, eggs, pickled cucumber, and cilantro are a treat to the taste buds. I chose cilantro for this recipe, but if you don’t like it, you can use parsley or mint instead. The recipe is easy and quick to prepare, perfect for Shab-e Yalda, a festive menu, or New Year’s Eve. You can find more typical dishes for Shab-e Yalda here. We like to serve it as an appetizer, which we call Mazeh (Mezze).

Shirini Pofaki Gerdoee - Gluten-Free Walnut Cookies - شیرینی پفکی گردویی

Shirini Pofaki Gerdoee – Gluten-Free Walnut Cookies – شیرینی پفکی گردویی

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.

Dolmeh Kadu Halvai – Stuffed Pumpkin دلمه کدو حلوایی

Dolmeh Kadu Halvai – Stuffed Pumpkin دلمه کدو حلوایی

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!

Oriental Christmas Stollen

Oriental Christmas Stollen

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.

Anar Polo ba Morgh – Pomegranate Rice with Chicken انار پلو با مرغ

Anar Polo ba Morgh – Pomegranate Rice with Chicken انار پلو با مرغ

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. Watch Preparation Video on Instagram

Gluten-Free Baklava Triangles

Gluten-Free Baklava Triangles

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.

Kalam Polo Shirazi – Cabbage Rice with Meatballs

Kalam Polo Shirazi – Cabbage Rice with Meatballs

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. Watch Preparation Video on Instagram 

Middle Eastern Style Bundt Cake

Middle Eastern Style Bundt Cake

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! Watch Preparation Video on Instagram