Best 5 Persian Dainties Recipes

TAHDIG RECIPE (CRISPY PERSIAN RICE)

Steps:

• Mix the saffron into 1 cup very warm (but not hot) water. Let sit for at least 10 minutes to let the saffron release all of its flavor.
• In a sieve, rinse the rice under cool running water until the water almost runs clear.
• In a large pot, combine 8 cups of water and the salt (this is your one shot to season the rice itself). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the rice and cook until al dente, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain the rice.
• In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of the cooked rice, the yogurt, grapeseed oil, and 2 tbsp of the saffron water. Mix thoroughly.
• Spread the rice-yogurt mixture evenly on the bottom of a 10-inch lidded nonstick pot. Sprinkle 1 cup of the remaining cooked rice on top, followed by 2 tablespoons of the dried cherries, a pinch of orange zest, and a pinch of cinnamon. Add another layer of rice and repeat with the cherries, orange zest, and cinnamon, reserving a couple tbsp of the cherries for garnish. As you go about layering, the rice will start to dome and look "pointy" in the middle--that's okay! Keep it that way. Finish by dotting the top with the butter and pour the rest of the saffron water all over the top.
• Wrap the lid in a kitchen towel and secure it around the handle with a rubber band. Cover the pot and cook over low heat, 25 to 30 minutes or until the rice around the edges is golden and crispy; it's okay to peek under the lid! (See note #2) Be sure not to burn the bottom layer of the rice, though you do want a nice crust in the bottom.
• Remove the lid, invert a large serving plate over the pot, and carefully flip them over together. No worries if it sticks, just scrape it out and run with it! Sprinkle the tahdig with the reserved dried cherries and pistachios and serve right away.

PERSIAN PASTRIES

Steps:

• In a bowl combine the walnuts, sugar and cardamom. Butter a 9 by 9 by 1 3/4-inch baking dish. Cover phyllo with a very lightly dampened towel and keep covered at all times when it is not being used. Cut phyllo into 8 by 11-inch sheets. Place 1 sheet at a time on a work surface and lightly brush with butter. Place 2 tablespoons of the spiced sugar-nut mixture lengthwise down the center of each leaf of phyllo. Fold each sheet over several times lengthwise to form a 1-inch wide strip, enclosing the filling. Roll up each strip to make a coil and place flat (coil side up) in the prepared dish against the side to prevent it from uncoiling. Repeat the whole procedure with the rest of the phyllo sheets. Brush with butter and bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 40 minutes.
• Combine all of the ingredients, except nuts, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 30 minutes, cool for 10 minutes, then strain. Pour over pastries once they have come out of the oven and let soak for 1 hour. Sprinkle with walnuts or pistachios.

FESENJAN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly season chicken with salt and pepper, and sauté in olive oil until lightly golden. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Spread walnuts on a baking sheet, and bake until toasted, about 5 minutes. Once cool to the touch, rub walnut pieces between your palms to shed excess skin. Pulse in a food processor until finely chopped but not pasty. Transfer to a Dutch oven, and add onion and 2 cups water. Place over medium-low heat and simmer, partly covered, stirring it occasionally, for 20 minutes. Add 2 cups pomegranate molasses, sautéed chicken, squash, cinnamon, saffron mixture and 1 cup chicken broth or water.
• Adjust flavor with sugar, salt and pomegranate molasses, so it is tangy but also a bit sweet. Simmer gently, covered, until the sauce is a dark walnut color with a layer of oil on the surface, 35 to 40 minutes. If the pan looks dry, add additional broth or water as needed. Adjust flavors again, and stir so the walnut oil is well mixed.
• Bring the mixture to another gentle boil with the lid ajar, then continue to simmer on low heat until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 20 minutes. Make a final taste test, and adjust flavors to your liking.
• To serve, stir so that the walnut oil is evenly absorbed. Serve hot with Persian steamed white rice.

ADASI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium until shimmering. Add the onions, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and become light golden, about 6 minutes.
• Add the cumin and turmeric and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the lentils, then 5 cups water; season with salt. Increase the heat to bring it to a boil.
• Once it comes to a boil, give it stir, then reduce heat to low to maintain a simmer. Cover and let cook until the lentils are tender and creamy without a firm bite, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. (For ultimate creaminess, cook it on low for up to three hours, stirring every hour or so.)
• Remove the lid, stir and let any remaining water cook off, 5 to 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom. Use a wooden spoon to mash some of the lentils against the side of the pan to thicken the soup, if desired. Season to taste with salt.
• Spoon into bowls, squeeze the juice of 1 lime wedge into each, drizzle with olive oil, then add a pinch of oregano or herbs, if using, and serve.

PERSIAN DAINTIES

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients through a food chopper (or food processor, but don't puree the ingredients) If the ingredients are a bit stiff moisten them with a bit of honey.
• Mix well and form into little balls.
• Store in fridge and bring to room temp to serve.