All posts tagged: vegan

Tri-colored roasted oriental cauliflower

Tri-colored roasted oriental cauliflower

My Tri-colored roasted oriental cauliflower is a feast to the senses. By roasting in the oven with a spicy oriental seasoning mix, the cauliflower obtains lovely roasting aromas and is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The aromatic tahini lemon sauce and topping of sweet and sour pomegranate molasses and seeds, crunchy pine nuts, hot chili, and fragrant rose petals take all your senses on a journey through oriental flavors. The recipe is Vegan, Low Carb, and gluten-free and fits perfectly with the trend of Veganuary. Try to join the trend in January and enjoy a vegan diet for a month. Click on link in bio for the recipe. 

Yakh dar Behesht-e Anar - Persian Pomegranate Granité یخ در بهشت انار

Yakh dar Behesht-e Anar – Persian Pomegranate Granité یخ در بهشت انار

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!

Morabay-e Anjir – Fig Jam مربای انجیر

Morabay-e Anjir – Fig Jam مربای انجیر

Between July and November is fig season and I got some very nice examples from our neighbor. I don’t know why I have not yet planted my own fig tree in the garden, but it’s definitely time to do. Morabay-e Anjir – fig jam مربای انجیر is made from fresh whole figs and is infused with cardamom, vanilla and saffron. Believe me, the spicy and oriental sweet fragrance is a true joy for your senses. In daily life, quince, carrot, rose or cherry jam are more popular in Persia. Honey-sweet fig jam, on the other hand, is served with bread, butter or clotted cream more on special occasions for breakfast. A sweet delight for real gourmets.

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.

Kabab-e Sabzidjat - vegan kebabs کباب سبزیجات

Kabab-e Sabzidjat – vegan kebabs کباب سبزیجات

Fortunately, the temperatures have dropped a bit and you can fire up the grill again. Is there anything better than a BBQ with family or friends? Meanwhile many people eat vegetarian or vegan, therefore you should also prepare something with vegetables. If you are looking for the perfect recipe for delicious, colorful veggie skewers for your next BBQ party, then I’ ve got a perfect recipe for you – Kabab-e Sabzidjat – Vegan Kebab کباب سبزیجات. We love these vegan skewers as they’re not only tasty and colorful, but are also healthy. More yet, the preparation is as easy as pie. Give a try with hummus or harissa hummus, it matches perfectly.

Samosa Bandari - سمبوسه بندری

Samosa Bandari – سمبوسه بندری

Samosa Bandari – سمبوسه بندری is very popular street food from Abadan, a city in southern Iran. We call it Sambooseh Bandari or Sambooseh Irani. Since it is a very popular snack or fast food for in-between meals, you can buy it, along with Sosis Bandari, Falafal, and Burgers everywhere in Persia. The great thing about Tehran is that you can get really good food in small and unimpressive snack bars. In my youth, we liked to go to a fast food restaurant either before or after the cinema and have crunchy samosas with a spicy sauce. My samosa version is vegan and is filled with potatoes, herbs, and spices. Recooking is highly recommended!

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.

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 …