Shoorba-ye Yazdi (Lentil and Beet Soup with Tiny Dumplings)

What could be better on a cold winter day than a hot bowl of tasty, healthy and sumptuous soup? This beautiful and nutritious soup is from the region of Yazd, Iran and is called shoorba. "Shoor" means salty and "shoorba" generally refers to soups or ash (thick and hearty soup). This shoorba is made by combining sauteed golden brown onions, brown lentils, small cubed beets, chopped young

Yalda 2010! Celebrating the Longest Night of the Year (Winter Solstice)

The sight of you each morning is a New Year

any night of your departure is the eve of Yalda


~Saadi






Shab-e Yalda refers to the longest night of the year which has been celebrated ever since the ancient times in Persian history. The word "Yalda" means birth in Syriac and is marked as the birthday of Mithra, the ancient Persian god of light and cosmic order, also called the son of

Naan Berenji - Persian Rice Flour Cookies

Naan Berenji Kermanshahi is one of my favorite Persian sweets which is traditionally made for Nowruz (Persian New Year). Naan berenji cookies are rich with flavor and not too sweet. They are great to eat all year around and are most delicious when served with a freshly brewed cup of hot tea or coffee, especially on a cold day.






 I have wanted to write about naan berenji in the past but I

Torshi Anbeh - Pickled Mango

This is a quick, simple and sumptuous torshi (pickle) that is served as a side for any rice and stew dishes. Serving a variety of pickles and relishes with main courses is a major part of the Iranian cuisine. In our home torshi making was an annual summer ritual for my mother and our hayat (yard) would be filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, tomatoes, limes and unripe sour grapes to juice.