14 persian recipes

Ash reshteh, the classic Persian noodle soup thick with kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, spinach, fresh herbs, and beets, finished with a tangy whey or vinegar swirl. Pure comfort.

Persian peaches recipe with sliced ripe peaches macerated in orange juice and honey, then brightened with finely chopped crystallized ginger for a chilled summer dessert.

Persian sugar-pickled garlic simmered in red wine vinegar with cloves and black peppercorns. Sweet, tangy, and mellow after a month of refrigerator pickling.

Persian sweet rice (shirin polo) cooked in fresh orange juice with orange zest, shredded carrots, toasted almonds, and raisins. A fragrant, jewel-toned side dish for special occasions.

Pearl barley simmers in chicken stock with carrots, turmeric, and lime juice, then gets finished with sour cream in this Persian-inspired soup that's both hearty and surprisingly bright.

Persian lentil and greens khoreshe with spinach, parsley, cilantro, scallions, and turmeric simmered until tender. A fragrant Iranian stew served over basmati rice.

Persian lamb soup simmered with dried fruits (prunes, apricots, peaches), turmeric-browned onions, and a sweet-sour balance of brown sugar and citrus for comforting depth.

Persian-style mandarine rice with saffron, julienned carrots, slivered almonds, and sultanas in a citrus syrup. Soaked rice baked under a jeweled mandarin and saffron glaze.

Polo havidge loobia is a Persian layered rice pilau with sweet carrots, kidney beans, cinnamon, and a crisp potato tahdig crust. Aromatic, vegetarian, and deeply comforting.

Khoresht-e Fesenjan: chicken or lamb simmered in a rich, dark walnut and pomegranate sauce with saffron, cinnamon, and nutmeg. A beloved Persian stew served with rice.

A classic Persian eggplant salad layered with golden fried slices and cool, garlicky yogurt. Topped with chopped walnuts and served chilled, this borani is a showstopping appetizer or mezze spread.

A vibrant Persian beet and yogurt dip with golden butter-fried onions and crushed garlic. Earthy, tangy, and stunning in color, Borani-ye Choghandar is a beautiful addition to any mezze spread.

Shereen Polo is a Persian jeweled rice pilau with saffron, julienned carrots, orange peel, almonds, pistachios, and rose water in sugar syrup. Served with crispy tahdig and a side of chicken stew.

Loaded vegetable stew with dolma simmers fish-and-rice dumplings in a paprika, cumin, and turmeric-spiced broth with carrot, daikon, tomato, and zucchini. A Persian-leaning seafood stew you eat with a spoon.