All posts tagged: vegan

Oriental Chickpea-Couscous Salad

Oriental Chickpea-Couscous Salad and Book Review “Ein Bauch voll Glück”

*ad / cookbook review* Do you lack the time for a healthy diet and snack your way through the day? Do You invest time in more important things than in your own body and your health? But a healthy diet with balanced, fiber-rich, and fresh food is an investment in your health. Perhaps when you think of a healthy meal, you think of boring dishes lacking flavor. Yet there are so many delicious and healthy recipes that reduce stress, and make you happy. Like in the Good Mood Kitchen by Annelina Waller, where things go happily. So today, I have a vegan and gluten-free recipe for an oriental chickpea-couscous salad and a book review, “Ein Bauch voll Glück.”

Torshi Liteh – pickled vegetables ترشی لیته

Torshi Liteh – pickled vegetables ترشی لیته

We start pickling vegetables for the winter in late summer and autumn. Torshi Liteh – pickled vegetables ترشی لیته, which is very popular in Iran, is quite tasty. Torshi comes from the word torsh, which means sour, and so it is. If you like pickles, you’ll love my torshi recipe. The vegetables and spice mixes in torshi can vary depending on the region and preferences. The preparation is simple and quick as a flash.

Shir-e Angoor - Sugar Free Grape syrup - شیره انگور

Shir-e Angoor – Sugar Free Grape syrup شیره انگور

Last week, I showed you the recipe for Shir Berenj – rice pudding with rose water and cardamom and served it with grape syrup. Today, I’ll show you how to make an easy Shir-e Angoor – Sugar Free Grape syrup شیره انگور. Shir-e Angoor is also called Doshab and is a grape syrup with a thick consistency made from grape juice with no additives. I used black grapes from the market, though it also works with white grapes or a mixture of white and black grapes. Shir-e Angoor tastes fruity and sweet, with a mild acidity similar to golden syrup (sugar beet syrup) but with a hint of caramel. When enjoyed in small portions, grape syrup has a lot of health benefits. The preparation is simple yet time-consuming.

Yatimcheh – Vegan Eggplant Stew یتیمچه

Yatimcheh – Vegan Eggplant Stew یتیمچه

Yatimcheh – Vegan Eggplant Stew یتیمچه is a vegan Persian recipe that you can prepare in no time. It is a popular and wide-spread traditional recipe from across the country in Iran. In addition, it is an inexpensive and tasty dish with simple ingredients, as we use everything from the fields and meadows. It tastes great in late summer with sweet, fresh tomatoes. Yatimcheh is a one-pot dish, and the ingredients are layered up in a pan or pot. The main ingredients are eggplants, tomatoes, multicoloured peppers, potatoes, onions and garlic. Turmeric provides for slightly sweet, spicy and tangy notes. The ingredients are similar to French ratatouille, but the taste is quite different. Well, do you like my healthy and shape-friendly dish now? Head to the kitchen and get started right away.

Sharbat-e Khakshir Nabat – Persian Summer Drink

Sharbat-e Khakshir Nabat – Persian Summer Drink

Do you crave for a refreshing summer drink on hot summer days? We drink Sharbat-e Khakshir Nabat – Persian Summer Drink in Iran when it’s hot. A healthy and delicious Persian refreshment drink made from Sophia herb seeds, fresh spring water, rose water, lemon juice (optional), ice cubes, and saffron candied sticks. This drink cools you from the inside, is quick to prepare, tastes delicious, and will quench your thirst. The seeds are heavy, and sink to the bottom of the glass and should be stirred just before drinking. The stirring makes them dance their way to the top. If you travel to Iran, you should try Sharbat-e Khakshir Nabat – Persian Summer Drink in a Ab Miveh Forooshi (juice bar), you can get this cool refreshing drink at every corner. Find here some more Sharbat recipes on my blog.

Piccalilli – English Mustard Pickle

Piccalilli – English Mustard Pickle

Let’s start pickling today! I came across this incredibly delicious Piccalilli – English Mustard Pickle as I visited London. So I want to share the recipe with you, as the pickling is simple to prepare and super healthy. I made the British version, which originates from India. You need fresh vegetables like cauliflower, diced zucchini, red bell pepper, carrot, and onion to prepare it. Their delicious taste comes from a broth of apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, mustard seeds, mustard powder, turmeric, coriander, sugar, salt, and cornstarch. Piccalilli has a mild spiciness, a nice crunchy texture, an intense yellow color, and is bound creamy. Simply delicious!

Tomato Salad with Pomegranate-Sumac Dressing

Tomato Salad with Pomegranate-Sumac Dressing

Summer is salad time, so the kitchen stays cold, and a tomato salad with pomegranate sumac dressing is a welcome refreshment. Large, small, black, and colorful sun-ripened tomatoes, soft mild onions, and an oriental Dressing of pomegranate molasses, grated tomato, best olive oil, and tart sumac finish the taste. Tomato salad with a sweet fruity pomegranate dressing is not only refreshing, but it is also prepared in a snap and is even vegan. All these ingredients transform a simple tomato salad into a unique dish. Watch How to prep Video on Instagram

Dolmeh Godje Faranghi - Persian Stuffed Tomatoes دلمه گوجه فرنگی

Dolmeh Godje Faranghi – Persian Stuffed Tomatoes دلمه گوجه فرنگی

Have you ever stuffed tomatoes? It’s about time. My Dolmeh Godje Faranghi – Persian style stuffed tomatoes دلمه گوجه فرنگی are light, healthy and vegan. I harvest the tomatoes for this recipe from my garden. There are still some hanging on the bush, but I believe that’s the end of the tomato harvest for this year. Cut the tops off the tomatoes and scoop them out. Fill them with rice and herbs such as cilantro, parsley, mint, and season with turmeric. Place the cap on top and put it in the baking dish, cover with a lemony tomato sauce and bake in the oven. Now you only have to wait. Baking in the oven makes the tomatoes very aromatic, sweet, and with the lemony sauce, a taste explosion in your mouth.

Saffron Iced Tea – آیس تی زعفران

Saffron Iced Tea – آیس تی زعفران

Can you imagine a better summer treat than an ice-cold homemade iced tea? Today I have a recipe for a fresh and delicious saffron iced tea – آیس تی زعفران. The iced tea with saffron has a very aromatic flavor and lifts your mood. After all, a Persian quote says: “Drink a glass of saffron tea and get happy.” I prepared the recipe with black tea, but you can also use white tea instead. I don’t recommend Green tea, as it can overpower the fragrance of saffron. You can adjust the sugar level and the ingredients of a homemade iced tea to your taste. Ready-made iced tea from retail stores contains a lot of sugar, flavors, and artificial ingredients. Try my refreshing saffron iced tea and treat your health. Watch How to Prep Video on Instagram

Sfenj - Moroccan Doughnuts

Sfenj – Moroccan Doughnuts

Have you ever been to Morocco? Then you probably know the local street food Sfenj, pronounced Sfinsch. It is a popular street food in the souks of Morocco and the many Sfenj bakeries. You have probably also seen Moroccans with a Sfenj handbag 😉 For they are tied together with a “ribbon” of palm fronds or a string and sold as a way to carry them. Sfenj is prepared fresh in the morning and served while still warm for breakfast. And it’s enjoyed with Moroccan mint tea or a strong coffee in the afternoon. The best way to eat them is plain, but some also like to roll them in sugar, and others soak them in honey or syrup. I’ve made the recipe for Sfenj Moroccan donuts a few times, and the one I liked best was this version from Atlas Kitchen, which I’m sharing with you today. Be sure to give it a try! Watch Video on Instagram