Tag mint

Salad Shirazi – Cucumber and tomato salad with dried mint dressing

thecaspianchef 3 Comments

سالاد شیرازی

There is something extraordinarily special about this salad, which has great significance in Persian cuisine. The bright and refreshing flavors of tomato and cucumber are enhanced by a dressing of dried mint and unripe sour grape juice (Ab Ghooreh in Farsi). Its simplicity makes it relatively easy as a perfect companion to just about any meal.

By many accounts, Salad Shirazi is the national salad of Iran! Whether you’re eating informally in someone’s home, at a more formal dinner, or at a Persian restaurant, you will inevitably come across this salad. Of course, the red and green colors proudly showcase the colors of the Iranian flag!

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Kashk-e Kadu – Butternut-squash-spread with whey and mint

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کشک کدو

Fall is my favorite season for variety of reasons: the turning of the leaves, the bright and colorful fall foliage, my birthday, and the arrival of harvest-time.

Squashes, persimmons, quinces and pomegranates top the list of seasonal favorites for me. I find the flavors of squashes quite appealing and when you think of it, what’s not to love?! They deliver carbs with a soft texture and a sweet flavor profile that pairs so nicely with many other flavors.

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Sekanjebeen – Mint and vinegar syrup

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سکنجبین

Sekanjebeen highlights the Iranian tradition of mixing familiar ingredients to create unique and exotic flavors. Sekanjebeen is quite simple in nature and easy to prepare: even though it has only 4 ingredients and takes just 30 minutes to cook, you will be rewarded with an unexpectedly delicious summery treat!

The syrup is normally prepared ahead of time in large quantities and then stored in the fridge for quick and easy transformation into an appetizer or a refreshing Sharbat (cold summer drink). As an appetizer, Sekanjebeen is served in a bowl with wedges of lettuce arranged around it. Each person tears off a piece of a lettuce and dips it into the syrup. The experience is hard to describe, each crunchy bite being followed by strong bold flavors.

Warning: Large quantities of lettuce will be consumed!

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Maast-o Museer – Yogurt with Persian shallots, garlic and mint

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ماست و موسیر

This is another gem in the Persian yogurt series. Yogurt plays such a significant role in the cuisine and is always there to accompany a flavorful layered rice or well-seasoned stew.

The star of this yogurt dish is Museer, a Persian shallot. Museer is best described as a mix between an elephant garlic and a shallot and is packed with flavor, aroma, and pungency.

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Maast-o Khiar – Yogurt with dried mint, cucumber and raisins

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ماست و خیار

Yogurt is no stranger to Persian cuisine, and is frankly a mandatory side item on the table. Each region of Iran offers its own unique version of a yogurt dish to accompany a Persian meal.

In the North by the Caspian Sea, the specialty is a garlic and shallot yogurt, which has an intoxicating quantity of Persian shallots mixed into thick and creamy yogurt.

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