Kookoo Kadoo - Persian Zucchini Kookoo

Persian kookoo/kuku is a combination of finely chopped or grated vegetables such as potatoes, herbs and zucchini mixed in with eggs and spices and fried on the stove or baked in the oven. Zucchini kookoo is a healthy, light and tasty dish. In our home, this is a favorite! It's one of the few dishes that both my kids, who are picky eaters, love and ask for and there are usually no left-overs.

Moraba-ye Haveej - Persian Carrot Jam

Has it ever happened to you that you have all the necessary ingredients to make a delicious meal but instead you don't know what to cook and are not inspired enough to cook up something new! These are the times you call your mom, sister, friend, or even a neighbor and ask for their opinion. We need suggestions and helpful comments as to how to do our hair, what to wear to a wedding, what

Spring Is Just Around The Corner! It's Time For Spring Cleaning - Iranian Style

It may seem too early to talk about Spring cleaning when the ground is covered with snow and the weather is freezing where I live. However, there are only four weeks left until the Spring equinox when the days and nights are of equal length and the start of Persian New Year and the celebration of Nowruz (New Day)!

Before the actual Nowruz celebration, festivities, family gatherings and all

Paloodeh: A Persian Sweet Cantaloupe Smoothie

This is a refreshing and nutritious drink made with ripe and sweet cantaloupes and is a superb thirst quencher. Cantaloupes are great especially when served in the morning for breakfast. It is also wonderful to set up a beautiful tray of sliced cantaloupe and honey dew along with watermelon during scorching hot summer days or any other day of the year while they are in season. In our home,

Fereni: Persian Rice Flour Dessert

Fereni is a creamy and smooth dessert made with rice flour, milk, sugar and rose water. The soft texture and the pleasant taste melts in your mouth and is very comforting for the cold winter days. My mother was born in the western city of Hamadan, Iran, which was known for its Alvand Mountain (kuh-e Alvand), historical background, many tourist attractions as well as its very cold winters.

Food For The Soul #2: Layli and Majnun's Love Story

 Photo: Wikipedia
What could possibly be the best gift to give or receive on Valentine's Day? There are numerous possibilities out there, from a card with a handwritten personal message to a box of gourmet chocolates, a bouquet of pink or red roses, a delicious dinner, or some heart shaped jewelery.  The list is long depending on one's creativity and of course, the budget. I have to say that the

Sekanjabin: A Sweet and Sour Ancient Persian Syrup and Drink

Sekanjabin is one of the oldest sweet and sour syrups in Iran, dating back to the ancient times. It's a combination of vinegar (serkeh) and "angabin," which refers to honey and the natural honey sweet. Sekanjabin and its drink (sharbat-e sekanjabin) are usually served during the summer. Now, the reason that I'm writing about a well-known ancient syrup that's perfect for the summer time in

Khoresh-e Kadoo - Gray Squash Lamb Stew

In the Persian cuisine there are a number of tasty, slow cooked stews (khoresh/khoresht) that combine the seasonal vegetables with either meat or chicken. Iranian food is not heavily spiced and in order to achieve the optimal taste, some patience, time and planning is required. I usually buy the needed ingredients a day in advance and take care of some of the things that could be done ahead

Food For The Soul

As food nourishes our bodies, satisfies our hunger and sustains us, poetry, music and rhythm feed our soul and bring joy to our hearts. I grew up appreciating and enjoying poetry. Maybe it's in my DNA passed down from my mother to me or just because I grew up listening to poems, reading poetry and  memorizing them at school like the majority of Iranian kids. Now, in addition to my recipes and

Loobia-Cheshm-Bolboli Polow - Rice with Black-Eyed Peas

Rice with black-eyed peas (cheshm bolboli) is one of many Iranian rice dishes and "cheshm bolboli" means nightingale's eyes in Persian/Farsi language. This may not be as popular or as presentable and festive looking as some of the other rice dishes, but it's a tasty vegetarian dish to make for a Sunday afternoon light lunch with close friends. It may also be served with lamb, or chicken too