Shevid Baghali Polow with Morgh - Dill Lima Beans Rice with Chicken

This is a well-blended, aromatic saffron rice with flavorful fresh dill, soft and nutty lima beans and tangy saffron chicken. Dill lima beans rice with chicken or lamb shanks is a nice colorful dish to prepare for yourself, serve your guests or take on outdoor picnics. It's also one of the dishes we make for Sizdah Bedar (getting rid of thirteen), which marks the last day of the Nowruz

Gol Gav Zaban: Persian Herbal Flower Tea

Gol gav zaban (Borage) is a herb that grows in the northern part of Iran and its dried purple flower is brewed the same way you brew tea leaves. Gol gove zaban is a diuretic and is used in treating coughs and colds and also has a calming effect on the nerves. It's believed to be a good source of antioxidants and is also good for the heart. Gol (flower) gav (cow) zaban (tongue) literally means

Haft-Seen Photos

Sofreh Haft-Seen 

The Table of the Seven S's.




Sabzeh (Wheat Sprouts): Representing rebirth and fertility.

 

 Sabzeh (Wheat and Lentil Sprouts)






Sabzeh (Mung Bean Sprouts)






 Senjed (Dried Fruit of the Lotus Tree): Representing love.






 Somagh (Sumac): Representing the spice of life.




 Samanoo (Sweet Pudding made with germinated wheat): Representing the reward of

Guest Post: Happy Nowruz! (Persian New Year)

I'm so honored that Laura Kelley, the author of the book The Silk Road Gourmet and the Silk Road Gourmet blog, has asked me to do a guest post on her fantastic blog. This has been a wonderful opportunity for me to write about Nowruz (Persian New Year) which is the most celebrated occasion in Iran and to also share the recipe of one of my favorite Iranian dishes. Please read my guest blog

Samanoo

Samanoo is one of the many items on the haft-seen table or "sofreh" tablecloth that starts with the letter "S." It is a sweet pudding made with germinated wheat sprouts and flour. "Sabzeh," wheat sprout, represents rebirth and samanoo represents the reward of patience and sweet life.

Making an authentic samanoo requires time, patience and a good arm, or the help of several people to help

Sabzi Polow

 Persian New Year (Nowruz) is the celebration of the first day of spring (Bahar) with all its beauty, greenery and blossoms. Traditional Nowruz dishes are made with herbs representing new life and revival. Sabzi polow is a delicious and healthy dish usually served with smoked white fish (mahi doodi) or fried fish. I posted a sabzi polow recipe last year, here. However, this new variation came

Shirini Nargili - Coconut Macaroons

This is a delicious and perfect sweet for the Persian New Year celebration. Coconut macaroons are tasty enough and there isn't much you need to do to it to make it taste any better. However, just to give it a different flavor and aroma, I added a hint of my favorite spice saffron, a sprinkle of rosewater and a squeeze of lime. The combination of shredded coconut, sugar, saffron, rosewater

Shirini Keshmeshi - Persian Raisin Cookies

These are delicious, simple and easy to bake raisin cookies that are perfect for the holidays, or any day for that matter. I cook all the time and enjoy making pickles and jams. When it comes to sweets, however, I usually only make them for a special occasion, and the Persian New Year is as special as it can get. It may be that my mother wasn't much of a baker and she would hire someone to

Poolaki: Persian Caramelized Hard Sugar Candy

This is a caramelized hard sugar candy from the city of Isfahan, located in the central part of Iran. I was ten years old when I first tasted poolaki during one of my family's annual summer travels where we visited the historic city of Isfahan. My parents bought many bags of poolaki as a souvenir (soghati) among many other things that the beautiful city of Isfahan is known for! Poolaki is a

Khoresh Gheymeh: A Traditional Iranian Dish with Meat and Yellow Split Peas

It's name is "Gheymeh!"  Khoresh-e Gheymeh! I will not call this dish a stew, or a casserole, or anything else for that matter. In my book it's one of the top five Khoresh's and there are many delicious stews in the Persian cuisine. Hopefully, I'll get to share them with you all, one dish at a time!





This is a simple but very tasty dish that, for me, not only satisfies my hunger, but

Growing Seeds (Sabzeh) For Nowruz (Persian New Year)

This year's Persian New Year (Nowruz) falls on March 20th, therefore along with the spring cleaning we need to start growing our own "Sabzeh" wheat sprout which symbolizes revival and rebirth. Besides wheat, which is the most common and popular seed to grow, you may also grow barley, lentils and mung beans. Sabzeh is one of the seven items on the haft-seen table that starts with the letter (S