January 27, 2009

Persian Macaroni


Macaroni

Persian-style ماکارونی macaroni (spaghetti) with ground beef, onion, garlic and tomato sauce is delicious and quick to make. This simple pasta dish is perfect for lunch or dinner any time of the year that your family will love! I usually make this dish with thin spaghetti noodles. However, you can use any type of pasta noodles.

Macaroni Irani

Iranian Macaroni (Spaghetti) with Meat Sauce

Persian Macaroni (Spaghetti)

Ingredients:
Serves 4

1 pound lean ground beef
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (14-ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
A pinch of cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil

1 lb thin spaghetti


Method:
  1. In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat, add onions, saute until translucent. Add the garlic, saute for another 2-3 minutes. Add the turmeric powder, stir. 
  2. Add the meat to the skillet, break it into very small pieces, and brown. Stir in tomato paste, cook for 2-3 minutes, add the tomato sauce, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, and a cup of water. Stir well. Cover and simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes. 
  3. Bring the large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add salt and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. 
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy bottom nonstick pot, add some of the pasta, add a large scoop of the meat sauce, then add another layer of the pasta. Building it into the shape of a pyramid. Cover and cook for about 30-40 minutes over low heat.
Serve with salad shirazi.

Enjoy!

January 23, 2009

Mast-o-Kadoo - Zucchini with Yogurt-Garlic Sauce

Mast-o-Kadoo Sabz - Zucchini with Yogurt-Garlic Sauce

This delicious recipe may be served as a refreshing light lunch or dinner or a tasty appetizer. The first time I had zucchini with yogurt and garlic sauce was at a friend's house for lunch and it required very little time and effort to make!


Mast-o-Kadoo - Zucchini with Yogurt-Garlic Sauce

Ingredients:
Serves 4-6

4 medium-sized zucchini, washed and sliced in rounds or lengthwise
1 cup plain yogurt
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
A pinch of red pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil or vegetable oil

Method:
  1. In a large frying pan, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil, add zucchini slices, fry until golden brown on both sides. Remove from heat and place on paper towel to remove the excess oil.
  2. In a bowl, combine yogurt, minced garlic, red pepper, salt and pepper, mix thoroughly. 
  3. Spread 1/2 of the yogurt mixture onto the the serving platter. 
  4. Place the zucchini slices on top of the yogurt and spoon the remaining yogurt mixture over the slices.
  5. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Enjoy!

January 19, 2009

Fesenjoon - Pomegranate Walnut Stew with Tiny Meatballs

  Fesenjoon with Meatballs

This sweet and sour stew is usually made with boneless chicken. This time I made it with mini meatballs. In my opinion, فسنجون با کوفته قلقلی fesenjoon/fesenjan with mini meatballs is as equally delicious as the chicken fesenjoon. It is the flavorful, slow-simmered sweet and sour pomegranate walnut sauce that makes this stew so amazingly delicious.


Fesenjoon/Fesenjan - Pomegranate Walnut Stew with Tiny Meatballs

Ingredients:
Serves 4-6

1 pound ground meat (beef or lamb)
1 1/2 cups walnuts, finely ground
1 large onion, minced
1 cup pomegranate molasses, plus more if needed
1/4 cup sugar, plus more if needed
1 large apple finely chopped, or 1/2 cup of butternut squash, peeled and cubed *optional
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon saffron dissolved in 2-3 tablespoons hot water
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil
Water

Method:
  1. In a heavy skillet, heat walnuts over medium heat for about a minute or two. Stirring frequently. Set aside.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, turmeric, salt and pepper. Shape into small meatballs and set aside.
  3. In a large pot, saute onions until golden brown in 3 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add meatballs and fry until brown on all sides. 
  4. Add the ground walnuts, cubed butternut squash and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat dd pomegranate molasses, cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Stirring occasionally. 
  5. Add sugar, saffron and a little more water if needed. Cover with the lid slightly ajar and cook for another 30 minutes on low heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning. If you prefer a sweet fesenjoon add more sugar to make it sweeter, if you like it more sour add more of the pomegranate sauce to the stew. However, the taste should be a wonderfully well balanced mix between sweet and sour. 
Serve warm with rice.

Here's the link for my other Fesenjoon recipe.

Enjoy!

January 12, 2009

Halva



My mother used to make large trays of delicious halva. حلوا - Halva is made with wheat flour, butter, sugar and rosewater. In Iran, halva is usually made during religious holidays and served after the funeral services. I, on the other hand, think that you don't need a special occasion to make halva. Halva is a very rich and fulfilling dessert. You can make it ahead and freeze the leftovers for later. It keeps well in the freezer.

Persian Halva

Ingredients:

For The Syrup

1 1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup rosewater
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4  teaspoon powdered saffron dissolved in 2 tablespoons of hot water

For The Halva

2 cups whole wheat flour, sifted
1 cup vegetable oil or unsalted butter 

Garnish:

Slivered almonds
Chopped pistachios
Shredded coconuts

Method:
  1. Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil, add the cardamom, saffron and the rosewater. Remove from the heat, set aside.
  2. Place a heavy-bottom pan over medium-low heat and lightly toast the flour for 8-10 minutes, until you smell the aroma. Stirring frequently.
  3. Add the oil and stir continuously for about 10-12 minutes over low heat.
  4. While stirring, gradually pour the sugar syrup into the pan, until it is fully absorbed and the halva has thickened. 
  5. Remove from the heat and transfer the halva onto a serving platter. With the back of a spoon flatten the halva and garnish with the desired toppings.

Enjoy!

January 08, 2009

Sholeh Zard - Persian Saffron Rice Pudding

Persian Saffron Rice Pudding

شله زرد Sholeh zard - Saffron and rosewater rice pudding is an aromatic and flavorful traditional Iranian dessert that can be made all year round and it's one of my favorite desserts. This recipe takes a little bit of time and patience to prepare but it is well worth the effort.

Sholeh Zard - Saffron Rice & Rosewater Pudding

Ingredients:
Serves 8

2 cups white rice
2 cups sugar (may be adjusted to your liking)
1 teaspoon ground saffron dissolved in 3 tablespoons of hot water
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup rosewater
2 tablespoons butter
Water

Garnish:

2 tablespoons slivered almonds
2 tablespoons ground pistachios
1-2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Method:
  1. Rinse the rice with cool water until the water becomes clear. Drain and place the rice in a large bowl, add 6 cups of water and soak the rice for 6-8 hours. 
  2. Drain the washed and soaked rice, place in a large heavy-bottomed pot, add 12 cups of water, bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, reduce the heat, cover, leaving the lid a little ajar, cook over low heat for 40 minutes or until the rice is soft and the water is fully absorbed, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. 
  3. Add the sugar and stir until it is fully dissolved.
  4. Add the slivered almonds, stir well and add the butter.
  5. Add the saffron and mix thoroughly, simmer for another 20 minutes over low heat. 
  6. Add the rosewater, cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes over low heat. 
Pour the rice pudding into a large serving bowl or several small bowls. Garnish with cinnamon, almonds and pistachios and let cool for at least an hour before serving.

Enjoy!