In Episode #44, co-hosts Bita and Beata resume full length episodes and cover nutritious lentils in Persian food. The word in Farsi for lentils is “adas”.
What are lentils? In the bean/legume category. Have an earthy, savory flavor
What are the two most common dishes in Persian cuisine containing lentils?
- Lentil soup, in Farsi “adasi” or “ash eh adas”
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- A simple, rustic soup cooked with onions and a touch of turmeric and cinnamon (some folks add squash, pumpkin, or vegetables for a modern twist on Persian lentil soup)
- Mixed rice with Lentils, in Farsi “adas polo”
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- Rustic, homey, nutritious, delicious layered rice dish - sauteed onions, turmeric, cinnamon, raisins and/or dates, some add nuts (see links to recipes for preparing adas polo)
Other Persian customs and recipes with lentils
- Persian noodle and bean soup, in Farsi “ash reshteh”
- Sprouts grown from lentils for the Persian new year spread or sofreh, in Farsi called “sabzeh”
Nutritional profile on lentils - a superfood
- Good source of protein
- Healthy dietary fiber
- Folic acid/folate
- Iron
Types of lentils
- Green and brown lentils have similar taste and attributes (hold their shape well) and can be used interchangeably
- Yellow, orange, and black lentils are not as common in Persian cuisine
Ask the Beats!
Mahyar from Canada asks the Beats,
“Can you use cinnamon in savory foods in Persian cuisine?”
Yes!
Cinnamon adds a warm, slightly sweet touch to Persian recipes. The Beats most commonly use cinnamon in the following Persian recipes: Adas polo, loobia polo, and haleem.
Resources and recipes from this episode:
Beata’s recipe for Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup
Beata’s long-form recipe for Asheh Reshteh – Persian Noodle Soup – Original Recipe Post
Beata’s recipe for Vegan Lentil Soup
Bita’s recipe for Persian Lentil and Date Rice | Adas Polo
Bita’s recipe for Aash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup
Bita’s recipe for Lentil Soup with Butternut Squash
Bita’s recipe for Vegan Moroccan Stew
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: https://modernpersianfood.com/episodes/
Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: https://beatseats.com
Co-host Bita Arabian blog: https://ovenhug.com
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio