All posts tagged: SUMMER

Khoresht-e Albaloo - One-Pan Chicken with Sour Cherries خورشت آلبالو

Khoresht-e Albaloo – One-Pan Chicken with Sour Cherries خورشت آلبالو

When it comes to sour cherries, you probably think of fruitcakes, pies, desserts or jams. But sour cherries can be used in many different ways and also fit in savory main dishes, as in my today’s recipe Khoresht-e Albaloo – One-Pan Chicken with Sour Cherries خورشت آلبالو . The spicy flavor of the chicken harmonizes perfectly with the sour-sweet flavor of the sour cherries and is seasoned with just a few ingredients, such as saffron and lemon juice. This dish is a traditional Persian dish, which is also very popular with meatballs besides chicken. Do you also want a palate explosion, then be sure to try this dish!

Bread Salad with Fresh Herbs

Bread salad with fresh herbs

What the Italian his Panzanella, is to me my bread salad with fresh herbs. The taste of crusty toasted Arabic bread and freshly chopped herbs, such as mint, flat-leaf parsley, basil, and tarragon, is incredibly crunchy and refreshing. Fruity pomegranate seeds, walnuts, and tangy feta tickle your palate. A slightly tart dressing of pomegranate pulp, olive oil, golpar, sumac, salt, and pepper tops this salad off. The bread salad tastes fresh, and savory, and is also filling and super healthy. Love serving it on hot summer days as a cooling and light meal. It’s also great as a mazeh (mezze) or as a side dish with rice and meat dishes. If you’re looking for a delicious and quick summer recipe, my Bread Salad with Fresh Herbs is the perfect choice for you.

Halva Safarani حلوا زعفرانی

Halva Safarani حلوا زعفرانی

The Persian Halva Safarani حلوا زعفرانی is very different from the Halva you know from Turkish or Arabic stores. This recipe is an old and classic version made from wheat flour and oil or butter. Saffron is responsible for a beautiful color and at the same time revitalizes the soul. Sugar adds sweetness, rose water a light floral aroma and warming cardamom a light tangy citrus note. It is an uncomplicated yet spectacular dessert that is also very popular eaten with Nan-e Barbari for breakfast. Halva means “sweet” and dates back to 7th century Persia. If you prepare it with oil like I did in this recipe, you even have a delicious vegan dessert. Let it melt in your mouth!

Vegan Juweled Rice Salad

Vegan Jeweled Rice Salad

Are you looking for a tasty side dish for a special occasion? How about a bright and fragrant Vegan jeweled rice salad? This rice salad is based on the warm Persian jeweled rice. It’s the perfect summer dish that can easily be prepared in advance. It’s just perfect for a picnic as well as for a special feast or party. The colorful bright jewels in the salad are made of emerald (pistachios), ruby (barberries and pomegranate seeds), gold (saffron rice and carrots), and pearls (almonds). Fragrant saffron and warm spices like turmeric, cumin, cardamom, and cinnamon add that special touch to my rice salad and will impress your guests. My Jeweled Rice Salad is a feast for the senses and transports you directly to the orient.

Baklava Cheesecake

Baklava Cheesecake

Baklava and cheesecake fans check out, today I have a combination of these two classic desserts in one for you. A lighter version of the sweet and sticky oriental baklava, as well as the refreshing American cheesecake. In short, the best of both! Baklava Cheesecake is a delicious fusion between the East and the West. My family is thrilled with this both creamy and crispy cheesecake. The bottom and outside of the cheesecake are made of a crispy Filo pastry filled with crunchy caramelized nuts, cinnamon, and sugar. On top is a creamy light cheesecake filling made with cream cheese, eggs, Greek yogurt, and vanilla pudding powder. With vanilla and lemon zest, it has a hint of vanilla lemony flavor. The crowning touch is that it is garnished with roughly chopped pistachios and finely chopped rose petals. The recipe is also very simple and in any case, attracts all eyes to it.

Sibzamini Tokhm-e Morgh - Baked Potato and Egg سیب زمینی و تخم مرغ

Sibzamini Tokhm-e Morgh – Baked Potato and Egg سیب زمینی و تخم مرغ

Sibzamini Tokhm-e Morgh – Baked potato and Egg Wrap سیب زمینی و تخم مرغ is typical street food from Urmia of northern Iran. It is also popular in Azerbaijan (Iran) and Tabriz, where it is called Yeralma Yumurta (یرالما یومورتا), which means wrapped with potato and egg. This wrap is found on any corner of the streets in Iran, as the ingredients are simple and very common. It is an all-time favorite for its taste and popularity. A feature of this dish is that the potatoes and sometimes the bread (Sangak) are prepared on small river stones. It can also be prepared with Lavash or Barbari Bread. In Iran, we call Street Food Ghazay-e Khiabani غذای خیابانی.

Majoon - Date Ice Cream Shake with Nuts معجون

Majoon – Date Ice Cream Shake with Nuts معجون

Do you also prefer only to eat ice cream in the heat? Well, today I have a perfect healthy ice cream recipe for you. My ice-cooled Majoon – date ice cream shake with nuts معجون is a great way to cool down not only during the summer. Majoon means a “combination of products”, as it contains many different ingredients. Dates provide a natural sweetness, ripe bananas, vanilla ice cream and cream make the ice cream creamy, and the nuts in and on the ice cream as topping add crunch. I used walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and cashews. Finally, garnish with some date syrup and Majoon is a sweet, tasty, and also healthy snack for between meals!

Morabaye Chagale Gerdoo - Green Walnut Preserves - مربای گردو

Morabaye Chagale Gerdoo – Green Walnut Preserves – مربای گردو

Morabaye Chagale Gerdoo – Green Walnut Preserves – مربای گردو is translated as Green Walnut Jam. Buttery soft, these black caramelized walnuts tastes so sweet and nutty. It is a specialty from the city of Jolfa in northwestern Iran. The jam is best eaten for breakfast together with Bulgarian sheep cheese with Nan-e Barbari or Lavash. Green walnut preserves are not only beloved in Iran but also very famous and popular in Azerbaijan, Greece and Germany, especially in the Pfalz area. The caramelized walnuts have been very popular in Greece since ancient times due to their medicinal benefits and are called Karidaki Glyko. The people of Pfalz know them as “Pfälzer Trüffel” or “Johanninüsse“. This unique delicacy is highly appreciated in gourmet cuisine.

Kabab Looleh- Grilled minced meat skewers - کباب لوله

Kabab Looleh- Grilled minced meat skewers – کباب لوله

The most popular leisure activity of all Persians is to barbecue kababs. No wonder, as this is a lot of fun in the summer heat. Therefore, grilling time is also kabab time for us! So heat up the charcoal grill, for inspiration I have a delicious Kabab recipe for you today, it is nice and juicy, savory and spicy. Typical oriental spices such as cumin and cinnamon give my Kabab Looleh- minced meat skewers from the grill – کباب لوله a unique flavor. I used half lamb and half ground beef for the grilled skewers and seasoned them with some chopped fresh parsley. The ground beef is simply wrapped around the grill skewers and then grilled over the charcoal for a few minutes. For a special event or for even more flavor, you can also wrap the ground beef skewers around cinnamon sticks and then grill them. From the charcoal grill, however, the minced meat skewers taste best. You can grill them also in a grill pan, but then the roasted flavors and the smoky …

Morabayeh Gol – Persian rose petal Jam مربای گل سرخ

Morabayeh Gol – Persian rose petal Jam مربای گل سرخ

In a wind-protected corner of my garden grows a very special flower: the Damascene rose “Rose de Resht”. Every year I prepare something different from its petals with their strong rose fragrances, for example Sharbat-e Gol – rose lemonade or rose butter. This year I prepared Morabayeh Gol – Persian rose flower jam مربای گل سرخ from the petals of my Rose de Resht. Those who try rose jam for the first time are usually both excited and irritated at the same time, because for most it is a new eating experience. For me, the rose petal jam is an essential part of an expansive Persian breakfast. It requires to butter a piece of Arabic or Lavash bread, then adding some rose jam on it and top it with Sar Sheer. Since the jam is a bit syrupy, it should be eaten teaspoon by teaspoon. To do this, put some of the spread on the bread, take a bite and repeat. Sar Sheer is just as clotted cream and in turkey known as kaymak. Do …