Saffron is one the most expensive and luxurious spices in the world but it’s taste, flavour and giving yellow- orange colouring to the foods is worth the price. Saffron has amazing flavour, some say it’s like honey, some say it’s floral but I say it’s just saffroni. Iran is one of the most important places for cultivation and export of saffron. Grades of Iranian saffron … Continue reading Persian Saffron (Zafaran) sharbat
Shah plov or crown rice is an Azerbaijani signature dish. There are different types of rice dish in Azerbaijani cuisine but this one is king of rice. This rice dish is known as : Khan rice, shah rice or crown rice and is served in special occasions. Shah rice made with red meat or chicken mean, dried fruits and nuts and last but not least, … Continue reading King Rice/Shah Pilaf
Traditionally this rice dish is called Tahchin or upside down rice also known as Persian baked rice cake. Tahchin is an Iranian divine rice dish with beautiful presentation. It’s made of layered meat and rice. It may not look like much from the outside but the combination of cooked meat, yogurt, egg and aromatic spices with rice create a crunchy outer crust and soft inside … Continue reading Tahchin Shevid- Baghali (Persian Dill & Broad Beans Rice Cake
Carrot stew is one of best Iranian dishes. Havij is Farsi word for carrot and carrot stew that is called ‘ Khoresht-e Havij’ in Farsi, is a Persian stew that is made with carrots, potatoes and meat (chicken/lamb or beef). Carrots with their brilliant colour is lovely ingredient to make carrot stew. There are different recipes for this dish, sometimes combination of carrots with prune … Continue reading Carrot Stew with Potatoes and Chicken
Spiced rice (advieh pilaf) is a classic Azerbaijani dish in Iran. Spice is called ‘ Advieh’ in Persian language. This is a rice dish made with mixed spices. This mixed spices is not that crazy hot and spicy but mild and full of flavour. Spiced rice is served with chicken cooked in red sauce made with fried onion, tomato paste- Persian saffron water and lime/lemon … Continue reading Spiced Rice(Tabrizi Advieh Polo)
Halva means ‘ sweet’ in Arabic language and is a kind of sweet, dense and rich dessert, usually made with plain flour – wheat flour – rice, sesame paste and semolina flour but might be made with vegetables such as carrots or pumpkins as well, mixed with sugar, saffron, rose water, cardamom or cinnamon. Halve is one of the most favourite desserts in the Middle … Continue reading Persian Campfire Halva
Basturma or Basdirma polow /pilaf is a traditional Azerbaijani rice dish that is popular in Ardebil an ancient city near Caspian Sea. The meaning of the word ‘ Basturma or Basdirma’ translates as ‘ to press’ or ‘ pressed’. An other literally meaning of this word is ‘ buried’. Why the name of this dish is Basturma polow? Well I would say, because meat mixture … Continue reading Basturma or Basdirma Polo
Persian ( Iranian) rice gets steamed with the most scrumptious, crunchy and golden crust that is called ‘ tahdig’ meaning bottom of the pot in Farsi language. Tahdig, is speciality of Iranian cuisine consisting of crispy, crunchy, golden browned layer of either rice – bread, potatoes or meat taken from the bottom of the pot , while the rice on the top steams. Usually in … Continue reading Coloured Tahdig
Sour cherry or Morello cherry is called ‘ albaloo’ in Persian language. Albaloo or moreloo cherry is smaller that sweet cherry with dark red colour. The origins for Sour cherry is in Iranian plateau or East Europe. This fruit is very popular in Iran from ancient time to modern day Iran. Nowadays, albaloo or sour cherry produce in Iran, countries around Caspian sea, Russia, Eastern … Continue reading Persian sour cherry pilaf (Albaloo polow ba tahdig maast)
Green zucchini/courgette stew is a classic- colourful and flavourful Persian stew ( khoresht). Zucchini is called kadoo in Farsi language. If you think courgettes were boring, you have to try this recipe. It’s cooked in a lemony-tomato sauce along with beautiful spices such as Persian saffron, turmeric, ….You might use either beef/lamb or chicken meat. Lemon juice or Ghooreh ( unripe grapes) gives unique taste … Continue reading Persian Zucchini Stew ( Khoresht-e Kado Sabz)
