Ghapeli Polo – Rice with beef and garbanzo beans

This dish traces its roots to the province of Kermanshah, located in western Iran. At its core, it is a simple one-pot meal that begins with the slow cooking of beef and garbanzo beans. Along the way, onions and simple spices are added to deepen the flavor and complexity. Once the beef and beans are…

Khoresh Gol Kalam – Beef and cauliflower stew

Long before the humble cauliflower became a trendy superfood, Iranians were cooking it into stews (Khoresh), egg-based dishes (Kuku), and even pickles (Torshi). This is Khoresh Gol Kalam, a beef and cauliflower stew. Like many Iranian stews, this dish is especially simple, with only a few ingredients. Nevertheless, certain culinary techniques bring out a spectacularly…

Moraba Havij – Carrot Jam with Saffron, Cardamom, and Rose Water

Who doesn’t love spreading a generous layer of homemade jam on warm, buttered, crusty bread? Some might find the idea of jam without fruit unusual, but I encourage everyone to try this vibrant orange and flavorful carrot jam, known as Moraba Havij in Persian. Making jam is an age-old tradition in Iran and around the…

Torsh Tareh – Tangy fresh herb stew with poached eggs

I seem to be on a roll, making back-to-back northern Iranian dishes! Across Iran, many stews feature fresh herbs in place of other vegetables to accompany either animal or plant-based proteins. While each stew has its own unique combinations and ratios, they all share one thing in common: Iranians’ celebration and love of herbs. This…