**Fresh Herb Kuku: A Journey Through Iranian Cuisine**
Kuku, a savory Iranian egg-based dish, is a delightful symphony of flavors and textures. This versatile dish can be prepared with a variety of fresh herbs, each imparting its unique essence. From the aromatic tarragon to the earthy cilantro and the refreshing mint, every bite is an explosion of flavors. Whether you prefer the classic kuku sabzi, the vibrant kuku sibzamini, or the indulgent kuku bademjan, this article offers a collection of kuku recipes that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the heart of Iranian cuisine. Each recipe is carefully crafted to capture the authentic flavors of Iran, using fresh ingredients and traditional techniques.
FRESH HERB KUKU
Provided by Najmieh Batmanglij
Categories Egg Herb Appetizer Breakfast Brunch Bake Sugar Conscious Vegetarian Pescatarian Dairy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Servings: 4
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour the oil into an 8-inch baking dish lined with parchment paper.
- 2. Break the eggs into a large bowl. Add the baking powder, advieh, salt, and pepper. Lightly beat in the garlic, chopped herbs, flour, and fenugreek. Adjust seasoning.
- 3. Pour the egg mixture into the dish and bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, until the edge is golden brown.
- 4. Serve the kuku from the baking dish, or unmold it by loosening the edge with a knife and inverting the dish onto a serving platter. Remove the parchment paper. NUSH-E JAN!
- Najmieh Batmanglij shares her tips with Epicurious:
- •Though many Iranians now use vegetable oil, clarified butter (ghee) is Iran's traditional cooking fat. To make it, start with a third more unsalted butter than you will need for the recipe. Melt the butter over low heat, then increase the heat to medium low and simmer the butter, without stirring, until it stops crackling and the milk solids brown and drop to the bottom. Skim off any foam from the top, and strain the ghee through a colander lined with cheesecloth. Ghee will keep at room temperature, covered, for several months. •Advieh, a mix of ground cinnamon, cardamom, and cumin and dried rose petals, is available online at www.sadaf.com. •Dried barberries, which add a sour flavor to many Persian dishes, are available online at www.sadaf.com. "I like to use the dried fenugreek leaves in the batter, and also some red barberries on top for color," says Batmanglij. "Sauté them with a little oil and a teaspoon of sugar, then sprinkle them on top of the kuku just before serving."
FRESH-HERB KUKU
Kuku is a Persian egg dish similar to a frittata. Before serving, we cut it into small pieces and topped each with a dollop of thick Middle Eastern yogurt.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
Yield Makes one 9-inch square cake
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine eggs, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, salt, pepper, and flour in a medium bowl. Whisk until combined. Add garlic, chives, parsley, cilantro, dill, fenugreek, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Mix thoroughly.
- Brush 2 tablespoons olive oil onto the bottom and sides of a 9-inch square nonstick metal baking pan. Place in the oven for 5 minutes to heat the oil. Pour egg mixture into pan; bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove pan from oven, and pour remaining 2 tablespoons oil over the top. Return to oven, and bake until golden on top, about 10 minutes more.
- Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool slightly before unmolding. Invert onto a serving platter, and cut into pieces. Serve hot or at room temperature with yogurt.
FRESH HERB KUKU
Kuku is a traditional Persian egg dish similar to a frittata. This version by the Iranian food writer Najmieh Batmanglij was served at the White House at Michelle Obama's Nowruz celebration on April 6. In it, a variety of fresh green herbs are mixed with fragrant spices, chopped walnuts and just enough eggs to bind everything together. Dried barberries, caramelized with grape molasses or sugar, make a pretty and sweet-tart garnish. If you can't get barberries, substitute dried cranberries. Kuku can be served warm or at room temperature, and can be made a day in advance. Leftovers make excellent sandwiches when stuffed into lavash or pita with yogurt.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories main course
Time 50m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until lightly golden all over, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer onions to a medium bowl and cool to room temperature; reserve skillet.
- Heat oven to 400 degrees and line a 9-x-12-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, lightly whisk to combine eggs, salt, pepper, baking powder, all of the spices and the rose petal, if using. Add caramelized onions, all of the herbs, walnuts, lettuce, spring onion, garlic and rice flour. Fold just to combine; do not overmix.
- Brush prepared baking dish with 1/4 cup oil. (It may look like a lot, but it gets absorbed into the batter.) Add batter, smoothing out the top and pushing it to the sides. Bake until center is set, about 20 minutes, and transfer to a cooling rack.
- Meanwhile, place the skillet used to cook the onion over medium heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the barberries, grape molasses or sugar and 2 tablespoons water. Simmer, stirring, until liquid is reduced and fragrant, about 4 minutes.
- Top cooked kuku with caramelized barberries and cut into 6 equal pieces. Serve hot or room temperature, with lavash and yogurt, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 359, UnsaturatedFat 25 grams, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 31 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 346 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before starting, measure and chop all ingredients. This will ensure that the cooking process is smooth and efficient.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs provide the best flavor and aroma to kuku. Choose herbs that are bright green and fragrant.
- Chop Herbs Finely: Finely chopping the herbs helps to release their flavor and distribute it evenly throughout the kuku.
- Use Good Quality Yogurt: High-quality yogurt will result in a more tender and flavorful kuku. Choose a yogurt that is thick and creamy.
- Don't Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the batter will result in a tough kuku. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined.
- Cook Kuku Over Medium Heat: Cooking the kuku over medium heat helps to prevent it from burning and ensures that it cooks evenly throughout.
- Test for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the kuku. If it comes out clean, the kuku is done.
Conclusion:
Fresh herb kuku is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a great way to use up fresh herbs and a perfect dish for a vegetarian or vegan meal. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, kuku is a must-try for anyone who loves Middle Eastern cuisine.
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