Persian

A Tasty and Filling Chicken Salad with Potatoes, Eggs and Gherkins

Another Childhood favourite! This is what mayonnaise was invented for:-)

No park picnics or beach trips in my childhood was complete without Salad Olivier. I don't know where the recipe originates from (I am guessing Russia because of the name).  Chicken is optional in this recipe, the vegetarian version is just as tasty as the original. Serve cold on its own although I love it as a filling in a fresh French Boquette with extra ghergins. yummy:-)

Ingredients:

• 4 Chicken Tights, Skinless
• 1 medium Onion, peeled
• 3 large Potatoes, peeled and boiled
• 4 large eggs, boiled
• 100 g Gherkins
• 100 g can green Peas, drained
• 100 g Mayonnaise
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric
• Salt and Pepper

Traditional Persian Rice Dish with Lentils, Dates, Raisins and Fried Onions

This is an easy and delicious dish which is favourite in many Iranian households. Cooked lentils, sweet and sticky dates and raisins lightly fried and golden fried onions give the rice tons of texture and flavour. If you are a meat lover, then add some fried lamb or beef mine to the mixture. This version however goes down well with vegetarian friends:-)

Ingredients:

• 200 g Basmati Rice
• 150 g Green Lentils
• 400 ml Vegetable stock
• 150 g Raisins
• 120 g Dates, stones
• 2 large Onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 25 g Butter
• 3 tbsp Olive oil
• Salt and Pepper

Persian Stuffed Vegetables with Walnuts, Pomegranate Seeds and Herbs

This is a traditional recipe from northern part of Iran and one of my childhood favourites. Thank you Farida for reminding me of this one:-)

Ingredients:

• 2 small Aubergines, peeled and thinly sliced lengthwise
• 4 large Tomatoes
• 1 large Onion, peeled and cut into chunks
• 4 cloves Garlic, crushed
• 100 g Walnuts
• 1 tbsp Pomegranate paste
• 1 Pomegranate, seeds only
• 1 tbsp fresh Parsley, chopped finely
• 1 tbsp fresh Mint, chopped finely
• 1 tsp Golpar powder (Optional)
• 4 tbsp Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper

Oven Cooked Chicken Patties with Cooked Potatoes

Sweet dessert with Flour, Saffron and Rosewater

Butternut squash in Saffron Syrup

Traditional Persian Dish with Lamb mince, Green Beans and Rice