Kookoo Sabzi - Persian Herb Frittata
Kookoo Sabzi could be described as a Persian Herb Frittata. It’s quick and easy to prepare and makes for a delicious side dish or Persian sandwich ingredient. Kookoo Sabzi and Sabzi Polo ba Maahi are a match made in heaven!
Ash-e Reshteh - Persian Noodle, Herb and Bean Pottage
There are many types of aash. Ash-e Reshteh is probably the most popular one. This thick soup is flavour packed with herbs, spinach, beans, lentils, onions, and other goodies. Reshteh refers to the noodles that are used for Ash-e Reshteh. You can find them in Middle Eastern shops or online. Make sure to buy the ones for ash, not for polo.
Zeytoon Parvardeh - Persian Enriched Olives
Zeytoon Parvardeh are Persian enriched olives. They are coated in a paste made of fresh herbs, walnuts, garlic and pomegranates. This mouthwatering snack comes from the Gilan province in the north of Iran.
Loobia Polo Recipe - Persian Lamb and Green Bean Rice
Loobia Polo is my absolute favourite dish! I know I say this a lot, put hands down, if I could only pick one favourite, it would be Loobya Polo. It is a mouthwatering Persian rice dish with lamb and green beans. The sauce is cooked first and then combined with the rice. They both steam together for around 1 hour, allowing the rice to absorb all the rich flavours of the sauce.
Mushroom Soup - Soup-e Gharch
Mushroom soup is one of those cosy autumn dishes, that really makes you appreciate this time of year. I was inspired to write this recipe, because the other day my neighbours gave me a huge bag full of giant puffball mushrooms. However, you don’t need puffball mushrooms to make this soup. You can replace them with chestnut mushrooms or a mix of different mushrooms.
Moraba-ye Havij - Carrot Jam
Moraba-ye Havij aka carrot jam is one of my favourites! My Maman used to make it a lot and so it takes me right back to my childhood. When I tell people about carrot jam, they often react surprised. That’s what I like about this jam! It’s not very common in other cuisines and so it gives people the opportunity to try something new. I encourage you to give it a try!
Swiss Chard Borani - Yogurt Dip with Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard Borani is a yogurt dip with Swiss chard, garlic and walnuts. Borani refers to delicious Persian yogurt dips, that make great snacks, sides or nibbles for parties! There are lots of versions of Borani! A popular one is Borani-ye Esfenaj - yogurt spinach dip. This time, I thought I’d switch the recipe up by using Swiss chard instead.
Albaloo Polo – Persian Saffron and Sour Cherry Rice
Albaloo Polo is a fragrant Persian saffron rice dish, topped with gently caramelised sour cherries and golden brown meatballs. You can even add more colour and texture to the Albaloo Polo with slivered pistachios and almonds.
You can easily make this beautiful rice dish vegetarian by not adding any meatballs. It is more than delicious enough on its own and can also be served as a side dish to chicken! Although, I would consider the chicken to be the side and this gorgeous jewelled rice the main dish.
Kaleh Pacheh Recipe
Kaleh Pacheh is a Persian dish that divides people’s opinions – You either love it or hate it. It simply translates to head and feet, because sheep head and feet are the main ingredients.
Kaleh Pacheh is traditionally eaten for breakfast, because it is quite heavy and shouldn’t ever be consumed in the evening, if you value a good night’s sleep. If eaten for breakfast or lunch it energises you for the whole day.
Kumquat Marmalade
Kumquat Marmalade is my favourite, because it is not as bitter as other marmalades - at least not if you follow my recipe. Also, it’s one of the many jams and marmalades my Maman used to make and still makes, so I have plenty of happy memories around it. When I saw that my local fruit and veg shop had kumquats, I just had to take the opportunity to turn them into a jar of nostalgia.
Kashke Bademjan – Persian Aubergine Dip
Kashke Bademjan is a popular Persian aubergine dip, that is usually served as an appetiser!
It is made of eggplants, or aubergines as we call them here in the UK, garlic, onions and kashk. Kashk is made of drained yogurt and has a distinct flavour, that’s quintessential for Kashke Bademjoon. You can serve this mouthwatering dip with any bread you like, for example Persian Lavash or Taftoon.
Khoresh-e Aloo Esfenaj – Golden Sour Prune and Spinach Stew
Khoresh-e Aloo Esfenaj is a mouthwatering Persian lamb, golden sour prune and spinach stew, that has a subtle sweet and sour taste. This dish doesn’t require much prep time, as all of the magic happens in the pot - as with so many Persian stews.
Mast o Khiar – Yogurt Dip with Cucumber, Raisins and Walnuts
Mast o Khiar is a delicious, creamy yogurt dip, that you can enjoy simply on its own, with crackers as a snack, or as a side to a main meal. Mast o Khiar simply translates to ‘yogurt and cucumber’ and so the basic version is made of yogurt, cucumbers and garlic, seasoned with salt.
Sosis Bandari - Spicy Sausage Sandwich
Sosis Bandari is a tasty Persian sandwich filling from southern Iran. It’s one of the few Persian dishes that is quite spicy. Of course you can adjust the level of spiciness to your personal liking. But if you ask me, I like my Sosis Bandari with a kick!
Kabab Tabei - Persian Pan Kabab
Kabab Tabei is such an easy and quick kabab recipe and doesn’t require a bbq! It’s the go-to Persian kabab for a busy day when you need less of the hassle but just as much of the flavour of a mouthwatering kabab.
Khoresh-e Havij - Persian Lamb and Carrot Stew
Khoreshe Havij is a tasty carrot lamb stew. As with many Persian stews all the magic happens in the pan, all on its own. The prep time is short and sweet!