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…
Category: Main Course
Anar Bij – Meatballs in pomegranate and herb sauce
Anar Bij, meatballs in pomegranate and herb sauceis a hearty and flavor-packed dish from Gilan province in the Caspian Sea region of Iran. Delicate meatballs are gently cooked in a creamy walnut sauce that is then flavored with fresh herbs and pomegranate molasses. Tart flavors, aromatics, and a hint of sweetness combine to make this…
Shami – Herb and meat patties
Shami is often referred to as a meat patty, though realistically it is more about herbs and ground walnuts than it is about the meat. Throughout Iran, you will find a multitude of Shami varieties using different types of meat, often with added chickpeas, yellow split peas, or red lentils. This version from the Caspian…
Kuku Gerdu – Walnut and herb frittata
You say frittata: I say Kuku; you say (Spanish) tortilla: I say K . . . and we are saying the same thing – almost! It is actually a stretch to call this dish a frittata or a tortilla, but I don’t know a better comparison. Kuku is an Iranian egg-based dish that combines vegetables,…