Expand your culinary horizon and get to know the wonders that Persian recipes have to offer. Persian cuisine is all about well balanced flavors, textures, and temperatures.
You get a combo of sweet, salty, and sour in one meal. It is crunchy and tender while being hot and cold.
Somehow the different components create one harmonious meal. Rice is a crucial part of Persian cuisine.
No meal is complete without it. Fresh herbs, spices, and dried fruit are also widely used.
You will learn how Iranians incorporate these ingredients into their everyday cooking in this collection of 10 recipes.
Treat your taste buds to the fantastic flavors of Persian cuisine! This list has you covered from appetizers to dessert.
1. Persian Chicken Kebabs
Who can say no to perfectly grilled chicken skewers? I certainly cannot!
This Persian masterpiece is a favorite in my household. The marinade is a delicious blend of mayonnaise, lemon juice, onions, garlic, and spices which makes these kebabs extra special.
You bathe the chicken in the mixture for 24 hours. The chicken absorbs all the lovely flavors for a result that is one of a kind.
Large chunks of red onions and bell peppers get threaded onto the skewers to complete the ensemble.
2. Persian Baklava with Walnuts and Rosewater
Now we go off to my favorite part of the meal which is dessert. Baklava is probably the most popular dessert in Middle Eastern cuisine.
I 100% get it. Layers of crispy and flaky pastry with chopped toasted nuts and syrup in between create the most phenomenal combination of flavors and textures.
The added rose water, cardamom, and brown butter make this baklava truly exceptional. You will think it is such a complicated recipe.
It is surprisingly easy thanks to store bought phyllo pastry.
3. Shirazi Salad
Shirazi salad is another staple of every Iranian meal. It is like a Greek salad only 10 times more flavorful.
Cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions are tossed with a lime and olive oil dressing. Shirazi salad is as simple as can be.
The flavor and texture are spot on. The herbs and spices that go into the dressing make this salad a cut above the rest.
It is in a league of its own thanks to fresh parsley, cilantro, dill, and mint.
4. Persian Rice Cookies
Cookies are a universal dessert. They are loved as much in Iran as they are in the US.
Give these rice cookies a try and you will understand why. These cookies are commonly served during Nowruz or Persian New Year and other special occasions.
These treats are definitely holiday worthy because they are delicate and crumbly with just the right amount of sweetness. There are many variations to the cookies.
Some add butter to the dough for richness while others prefer oil for moisture. Rosewater or cardamom can also be added for flavor.
All recipes include rice flour, sugar, and eggs as the basic ingredients however they may vary.
5. Mast o Khiar (Persian Yogurt Cucumber Dip)
Mast o Khiar is a light and refreshing dip made of yogurt and cucumber. It is so versatile.
It can be served as an appetizer with chips and pita bread or as a sauce to main dishes such as herb stew and lamb or beef kebab.
The beauty of this delicious dip is that it only calls for two ingredients. They are yogurt and cucumber as you may have guessed.
Your dip is ready to be dipped into once seasoned with salt and pepper and maybe a bit of dried mint.
6. Fesenjan (Pomegranate Walnut Stew)
Fesenjan is a warming stew eaten in the winter. This stew primarily features pomegranate molasses or juice and ground toasted walnuts.
Lentils give it heft while turmeric and cinnamon add warmth. It may seem strange but the combination of sweet and tart pomegranates and nutty walnuts create a beautiful harmony.
The stew is already hearty as it is. It can also be topped with jasmine rice for a heartier meal.
7. Persian Yogurt Drink
Yogurt is a common ingredient in many Persian dishes but it is also widely used to make beverages. Ayran is a refreshment made of salted yogurt.
The combination of salty and tangy takes a bit of getting used to. You are hooked for life once you do.
This thick and luscious drink is the perfect thirst quencher for your Iranian meal. The best part is that it is a cinch to make.
You will only need yogurt, salt, and water!
8. Kuku Sabzi
Kuku is Persian for frittata. It comes in many forms but this variety is one of the most beloved.
Sabzi means herbs and you can probably tell they are the reason this frittata is wickedly green. Parsley, cilantro, dill, and scallions are on the list that goes on and on.
The medley of herbs gives this frittata a refreshing flavor besides the color. Spices like cardamom, cumin, and cinnamon add a nice kick to boot.
Toasted walnuts and chopped cranberries add texture and color.
9. Persian Saffron Rice
Polo or rice is at the heart of every Persian meal which is why it goes on the top of our list. Aromatic basmati is seasoned with spices and cooked in yogurt, eggs, and oil before being layered with tart barberries.
The sweet, earthy, and rather expensive saffron gives it a lovely golden hue. Understand that polo is not as good without the tahdig or crisp crust formed at the bottom of the pot during cooking.
This recipe knows what tahdig is all about. That amazing crunchy crust makes it stand out aside from its flavor and color.
10. Persian Tea
Green tea may be the healthiest option. It is team chai all the way when it comes to relaxing and aromatic tea leaves though.
Chai or black tea is the go to morning, afternoon, and evening beverage for Persians. Their choice of leaves includes Ceylon, Darjeeling, English Breakfast, and Earl Grey.
This recipe teaches not only how to brew a perfect pot of chai tea. It also lets you in on a cool technique on how to achieve a two colored look.