In Episode #26, co-hosts Bita and Beata uncover the subject of flowers in Persian cuisine and in Persian culture. Bita and Beata are joined by a special guest, Maman Jaleh (MJ for short) with over 20 years of experience in the flower industry as a designer, business manager, and owner.
MJ speaks on some of the history of flowers in Iran:
- Iran is called the country of flowers and nightingales.
- Potted flowers are popular because of a history of a shortage of water.
- Flowers in Persian cuisine, two of which are both aromatic and pleasing to the eye are saffron and rose petals.
Beata chimes in and notes the role of flowers sofrehs:
Sofreh aghd
Sofreh aide Norooz/Nowruz
Saffron in cuisine:
- In rice, with barberries called Zereshk Polo
- In preparing tahdig
- In steeping tea
- Use sparingly - it is considered a precious commodity and is strong in both color and flavor...it is a flavor enhancer, brings color and fragrance to the dish
Rose and rose water, also best used in moderation:
- In Persian sweets and desserts
- Rose water in Bita’s Jeweled rice
- Rose petals in loobia polo and mast o khiar
- In tea
- MJ touches on ‘real rose water’ from Iran
Golnar (also known as the fire flower):
- The flowers on pomegranate trees - very beautiful
- MJ speaks of her passion of pomegranate trees
- The color of fire
Golpar - angelica
- Finely ground and served sprinkled on fava beans
- Also sprinkled on pomegranate arils
“Awakens all your senses”
Sumac
- Medicinal - antibacterial
- Most traditionally used on kababs and beef
Ask the Beats!
More info regarding the “hot and cold foods” question from episode #21 asked by Mahsa, the Moody Persian.
- Regional (DNA influenced by where you are from, palate gets used to what is available)
- Hot and Cold foods in nature have to be in balance with each other
- Chai nabat (Tea with rock sugar) will help balance the foods
- The mast-o-khiar balance example… yogurt (cold in nature) with raisins and mint (both warm in nature)
Resource links and recipes from this episode:
Rice dishes:
- Bita’s Persian Jeweled Rice | Shirin Polo
- Beata’s Lubia/Loobia polo: Green Bean Rice | Lubia Polo
Yogurt sides:
- Bita’s Persian Yogurt Cucumber Dip Mast-o-khiar
- Beata’s yogurt cucumber dip: Persian Salads: Maast-o-Khiar with Shallot and Salad Shirazi
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio