December 30, 2009

Mast-o-Laboo - Persian Beet & Yogurt Dip



There are many types of street food vendors here in NY. They sell fruits, soft pretzels, hot dogs, toasted chestnuts, and so on. We took a stroll down Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center, looking at the holiday decorations and lighting. My daughters bought some roasted peanuts from a vendor on the street. It reminded me of my growing up in Iran and the time that my mother would buy me fresh whole salted walnuts, grilled corn (balal) and warm and juicy cooked beetroot (laboo). Is it just my nostalgia that the food we ate seems to have tasted much better back then?

Beets are an interesting root vegetable, they add so much color to your life! They color everything that they come in contact with including your hands and nails. I wonder if beets were used as make-up to color the cheeks and lips before modern times.


Cooked beetroot (choghondar) could be served sliced in salads, sliced or quartered with a dash of sugar, or mixed in with yogurt. The green part of it could also be used in the vegetable and been stew (ash). They add a delicious flavor to the stew, however, it is usually disposed of. That must be the reason behind the Iranian saying used when someone feels neglected, unappreciated or overlooked in decision-making situations: "Am I a beetroot leaf here?"  (pas man inja barg-e choghondaram?) ماست و لبو/ بورانی لبو  Mast o Laboo/ Borani Laboo is a simple yet delicious side dish.

Mast-o- Laboo/Borani Laboo - Persian Beet & Yogurt Dip

Ingredients:
Serves 4-6

3 small-size beets
2 cups plain thick yogurt
1 teaspoon sugar *optional
Garlic powder
Salt

Method:
  1. Place the beets in a pan, cover with water, cook over medium heat for about 30 minutes or until tender.
  2. Remove the pan from heat and set aside to cool.
  3. Peel, cut into small bite-size pieces or grate the beets using a food processor or a hand grater.
  4. Combine the yogurt, beets, and a dash of garlic powder, salt, and a pinch of sugar. a pic. Mix well. Refrigerate for a couple of hours.
Serve cold.



Enjoy!

December 23, 2009

Shir Berenj - Persian Milk & Rice Pudding


Persian Rice Pudding

شیربرنج Shir Berenj is a creamy, sweet and rosewater scented rice pudding. In Persian/Farsi,  "shir" means milk and "berenj" means rice. This is my mother's recipe that she used to make frequently. Short grain rice is preferred for shir berenj. As for the milk, since we usually drink 1 percent low-fat milk that's what I used in this pudding too. However, using whole milk is recommended since it would enhance the flavor and makes the pudding more creamy.


Persian Rice Pudding
Eshgh (Love)

Shir Berenj - Persian Milk & Rice Pudding

Ingredients:
Serves 4

1 cup white rice (short-grain)
4 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1-2 tablespoons rosewater
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Water

Toppings:
Cinnamon, honey, grape molasses or jam

Method:
  1. Rinse rice with cool water and soak in water, preferably overnight or at least for eight hours. Drain. 
  2. In a non-stick pot add rice and 2 cups of water on medium-low heat, bring to a gentle boil, lower the heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is almost fully absorbed. Gradually stir the milk into the rice, cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes on low heat, stirring frequently to avoid getting a crusty bottom. This is a dish that we don't want to form a tah-dig at the bottom! 
  3. Add sugar, cardamom and rosewater. Add more milk if needed. Stir well and simmer on low heat for another 15-20 until it thickens. 
  4. Remove from heat and transfer the pudding into a large serving platter or single serving bowls or plates. Let it cool. 
  5. Garnish with cinnamon.
Shir berenj is usually served with drizzled honey on top, rose petal jam or grape molasses (shireh angoor). You can cut the amount of sugar in half if you are using any of the toppings. It entirely depends on your personal taste.

Enjoy!

December 18, 2009

Persian Yalda Celebration: Celebrating The Longest Night of the Year!


 شب یلدا Shab-e Yalda (Night of Yalda) refers to the longest night of the year, the beginning of winter and the triumph of light over darkness. Monday, December 21, is the winter solstice (yalda) which  has been celebrated in our culture for hundreds of years. On the eve of yalda, families and friends gather together, stay up till midnight, tell stories, reminisce and read poetry while sipping hot tea and eating sweet watermelon, pomegranate and an assortment of nuts and seeds.





It's a night that we take out the poetry book of Hafez and recite from it. Those who are familiar with Hafiz's poetry know that  there's not a single translation that can capture its true meaning and essence. With that said, here's a translation of a verse by Hafez, one of the greatest Persian poets of all time.


O pious of the heart, I am lost in a love so great
O pain the hidden secrets will become open debate.
Shipwrecked we just float, O favorable wind arise,
may we one more gaze upon that familiar trait.
Passage of time and the stars, are but what we fantasize
for compassion and kindness, it's never too late.
In the circle of wine and roses, nightingale's song is prize
with the aroma and the wine your senses satiate.
O Thou compassionate one, life giver and the wise
one day bestow thy grace upon this mendicant's state.
For peace of this world and the next, understand what I advise
magnanimity the lot of friends, and wise foes try to relate.
In the land of repute, our passage they will dispute
if this will not suit, don't stay mute, and transmute distastes of fate.
When destitute and in need, let your love and passion breed
life's alchemy, essence and seed, unimagined wealth shall create.
If unruly with pride, with a candle's zeal your flame will rise
Beloved turns stone to lave, and molten wax manipulate.
The Grail contains but wine, if only you realize
then the Kingdom of the world, at your but prostrate.
The good and wise magi, forgivers of lives and lies
bearer bring good news, drunkards' wine consecrate.
With this wine stained robe, Hafiz would never disguise
o untainted pure master, exempt us from this fate.

Poem by Hafez
~ Translation by Shahriar Shahriari

I can't help but think about all those Iranians that kept these festivities alive throughout the centuries amidst the sometimes harsh and unfavorable circumstances. I owe every one of them a heartfelt thank you and gratitude. They have kept the hope alive and passed it on year after year. I hope to join in with all the Iranians, if not in person but in spirit, and celebrate the victory of good over evil.

Happy Yalda, Yalda Mobarak!

December 13, 2009

Fesenjoon - Pomegranate Walnut & Chicken Stew

Iranian Pomegranate Walnut and Chicken Stew

خورش فسنجون Khoresh-e Fesenjoon is one of the most delicious Persian dishes. Biting into a tender piece of a well cooked sweet and sour chicken covered with tangy pomegranate and finely ground walnut sauce is to experience a piece of Persian culture, its food and heritage. In researching pomegranates, its history and its use in our culture, I've learned that it dates back to 3300 BC, here. Fesenjoon is another example of Persian ingenuity in creating a well-balanced and healthy meal. I find the combination of all the ingredients in fesenjoon to be simply genius!

Using fresh ingredients in Persian cooking is key. For many of us who live outside of Iran, finding the required and right ingredients is sometimes a challenge, one that we must learn to adapt to by using substitutes when needed. However, for this dish I believe all the needed ingredients are readily available here in the north east. One thing that I should mention is to use fresh walnuts, if possible. If you buy them readily packed in a bag like I do, at least check to see that the walnut colors are light and not dark. Dark colored and old walnuts taste bitter. Soaking walnuts for a few minutes in water or at least rinsing them before cooking improves the taste. Another key factor is using the right pomegranate concentrate/syrup. It should be of a thick consistency and not watery or mixed in with a sweetener. Don't use pomegranate juice instead.


Fesenjoon doesn't require too many ingredients or prep time. It's a simple dish and it cooks fast. However, if you want to achieve that authentic and ancient recipe what it needs is patience. Khoresh-e fesenjoon has to be cooked on a low temperature/simmer setting for all the tastes to blend in and the walnut oil to be released gradually onto the stew.

Sometimes, I may get a little carried away with my food decorations. I have to say that this dish doesn't need any props. When served with some aromatic white rice, the aroma, the look and above all the taste will speak for itself. Here's a recipe link for Fesenjoon with Meatballs.


Fesenjoon - Pomegranate Walnut and Chicken Stew

Ingredients:
Serves 4

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, rinsed, cut in small chunks
1 large onion, peeled, finely chopped
2 cups shelled walnuts, finely chopped
1 cup pomegranate molasses, plus more if needed
1/4 cup sugar, plus more if needed
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
Dash of cinnamon 
Vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Water

Method:
  1. You may chop the walnuts as finely as possible or pulse them a few times in a food processor.
  2. In a small pan add two tablespoons of oil and saute walnuts until lightly toasted for a minute or two over medium heat, stirring frequently.
  3. Add the pomegranate molasses and 2 cups of water, mix well, cover the pan with lid slightly ajar and simmer for 30- 40 minutes on low heat. 
  4. In a large heavy pot, saute the onions in 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat until golden brown, add turmeric and stir well. 
  5. Place the chicken pieces into the pot and cook until golden brown on all sides, add salt, pepper and a small dash of cinnamon. I usually add 1/2 teaspoon of salt in the beginning which later on can be adjusted and a dash of pepper. This is not a hot dish.
  6. Pour the pomegranate walnut mixture into the pot, mix well, add additional water if needed, chicken pieces need to be covered in liquid, bring back to a boil. Then lower the heat, cover and simmer for two hours. The slow cooked chicken, walnuts and pomegranate sauce will be rich and creamy.
  7. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar at a time, mix it well without shredding the chicken. Taste and add more sugar if you like it more sweet. Khoresh fesenjoon is a well-balanced, sweet and sour (malas) dish. I, personally, like it more on the sour side. But that's just me. The majority of people that I know like it more sweet than sour.
  8. If fesenjoon is too watery and not of a thick consistency leave the cover a little ajar, to let the steam and moisture out and simmer more until it thickens. Fesenjoon should not be watery.  
Serve hot with aromatic basmati rice. If there are any leftovers, freeze them! Leftovers taste good too.

Enjoy!

December 09, 2009

Khoresh-e Beh - Quince Stew


I like autumn mostly for its beautiful color changing foliage, crisp weather and also for its seasonal fruits such as pomegranate, persimmon and quince. Quince is one of  my favorite fall fruits. Of course, quince is basically used in cooking and making مربای به quince jam and is one of those kinds of fruits that all  parts of it is edible. It also has a warm and happy color too. I'm so tempted to take a quince with me to the paint store in my neighborhood and have them find the exact matching color. In the spring I am thinking of painting my kitchen quince yellow if there is such a color.


Anyhow, for this dish after washing and patting it dry, you can just slice it into wedges and there is no need to peel the skin off. In Iran the seeds are also used for treating coughs and chest pains by brewing them for few minutes.

Quince seeds and rock candy drink

خورش به Khoresh-e beh is a very tasty dish and very pleasing to the eye also This dish is a combination of meat (beef or lamb), yellow split peas, tomato sauce, and quince.


Khoresh-e Beh - Quince Stew

Ingredients:
Serves 4-6

2 pounds meat (lamb or beef), washed and cubed
4  medium-size quince, washed, cored and sliced (could be cubed too), slice right before cooking.
1 cup yellow split peas, picked over and rinsed
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
2 -3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon liquid saffron
Salt and pepper to taste
2-3 dried lemons (limoo amani) or juice of a lime
2 tablespoons sugar
A dash of cinnamon
2 cups of water
Vegetable oil


Method:
  1. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. 
  2. Add chopped onion and cook until golden brown, add turmeric powder and stir.
  3. Place the meat in the pot and brown on all sides. 
  4. Add the tomato paste and cook for five minutes. Stir.
  5. Add the peas to the pot and give it a gentle stir, cook for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Add cinnamon, saffron, dried lemons salt and pepper.
  7. Pour water in the pot, bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover and cook on a medium to low heat for an hour.
  8. Heat 2-3 tablespoons of oil in a skillet and cook the slices of quince for 7-10 minutes over medium heat.
  9. Sprinkle sugar over quince slices and stir well till sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside.
  10. In an ovenproof casserole dish, pour in the meat mixture, adjust the seasoning and gently layer the cooked quince slices on top. 
  11. Cook in the 350 degrees Fahrenheit preheated oven for 50 minutes. 
Serve with rice.

* I garnished the stew with some slices of a small and ripe khormaloo (persimmon).

Enjoy!

December 04, 2009

Kashk-e Bademjan - Persian Eggplant & Whey Dip

Kashk-e Bademjan

Today is my first blogoversary! Food blogging has been a journey as well as a healing process for me while I've been chopping onions, frying eggplants, pickling garlic, steaming rice and grounding threads of saffron and the whole lot of other things that cooking entails. I started this blog exactly a year ago as a tribute to my late mother who had passed away six months before an illness.

This was my tribute to her amazing culinary capabilities, knowledge, and understanding of all the ingredients used in Persian cooking. She loved serving up delicious food with a  welcoming attitude and the constant desire to feed and include everyone. Little did I know that through it all I would become a more passionate and enthusiastic foodie myself. I have grown to appreciate food more than ever. It is no longer about preparing meals for my loving family but becoming curious about food and nutrition and exploring other ethnic cuisines from around the world. From the very young age of eight or nine when my mother taught me how to saute onions, an essential in Iranian cooking, my love affair with food began. My mother loved talking about food as much as she enjoyed preparing and eating it. She'd tell you the benefits of every ingredient as she would feed you. She was not shy about giving strangers tips on how to cure their ailments by using herbs and spices. We'd grown up hearing stories about how she had helped cure our next-door neighbor's liver problems by sending over some sumac(somagh) to take as a medicine. Or, telling someone else that they should drink a glass of warm yogurt drink (doogh-e garm) before going to bed to help them with their insomnia!

The first few months of blogging was more about documenting what I had learned and remembered. I was frantically posting without enjoying it much. It was more of a chore I felt had to be done; that it would somehow make my mom happy to know that her legacy would be passed on. To my astonishment, I have grown to enjoy and love to write about my recipes, read other amazing food blogs and marvel at their food photography. What had started as a homage to my beloved mom has healed me through my writing about the kinds of food she'd serve us ever so graciously and lovingly.

کشک بادمجان Kashke-e Bademjan is the quintessential Persian appetizer. It may be not be considered a main dish, however, I feel once you serve kashk-e bademjan you don't need much of anything else on the table. Except, some warm lavash (flatbread), a fork and a tall glass of cool water. If you haven't tasted it yet, try it. You'll be surprised how tasty this combination of eggplants, whey (kashk), caramelized onion, and garlic can be. So simple and yet so tasty. This is also a perfect dish for those that say Persian cooking is too time-consuming.

Dried Whey (Kashk)
Kashk-e Bademjan

Ingredients:
Serves 4

2 large eggplants
1 large onion, peeled, thinly sliced
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons dried mint
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon liquid saffron
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil or vegetable oil
1 cup liquid kashk (whey), it can be found at Iranian or Middle Eastern grocery stores.
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

Method:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  2. Using a knife make some cuts in the eggplant to let the steam out and place them onto the baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven until softened for about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, set aside to cool. 
  3. Remove the skin, cut the eggplants into small cubes.
  4. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, saute the sliced onions until golden, add the turmeric powder turmeric, stir. Add the garlic and the dried mint, saute for another 5 minutes.
  5. To the skillet add the chopped eggplant, saffron, salt and pepper. Add 1/2 cup of water, cover and cook for 10-15 minutes over low heat. 
  6. Pour the kashk (liquid whey) over the eggplant mixture. Stir, until well combined. Cook for about five minutes on low heat for the flavors to come together. 
  7. Adjust the seasoning and serve on a platter, add extra kashk if you prefer. 
  8. Garnish with fried onions and chopped walnuts. 
Kashk-e Bademjan can be made the night before and served at room temperature with warm flatbread or pita chips.

Enjoy!