Persian Rice Meatballs (Koofteh Berenji)

Ingredients:

2 Pounds of lean ground beef

2 cups of rice (Basmati or Jasmin) uncooked or half cooked

1 large onion finely chopped

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1 tablespoon dill weed

1 fistful of small raisins

1 teaspoon of turmeric

1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder

1.5 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of pepper (white or black)

1/2 can of tiny chopped tomatoes

How to make it:

Step one: Mix all the ingredients and make gulf or tennis ball size meatballs.

Step 2: Make the sauce or liquid:

In a not too deep pot saute' chopped onions in olive oil and add the other half of the chopped tomatoes and add 2 cups of water. Let come to boil

Step 3: Drop the meatball in the liquid in the pot very gently. 

Leave the pot uncover and bring the heat to medium low. Turn the meatballs with a serving spoon so the top can swim in the liquid too and cooks.

(Add some lemon juice if you like this sweet and sour)

Let the meatballs cook for 20-25 minutes then serve in a bowl with some of the juice.

Enjoy!

 

Dill Rice (Shevid-Polo)

Ingredients:

4 cups of basmati rice

1 can of black-eyed peas

3 tablespoon of dried dill-weed

1 teaspoon of turmeric powder

2 table spoon of salt

2 tablespoon of corn oil or olive oil

How to make it

Bring water to boil in a pot and add salt

 Add turmeric to the rice in the pot

Wash the rice in a bowl and drain

Add the rice to the boiling water and cook for 6-8 minutes (depending on the age of the rice)

Add the black eyed beans and dill weed

Stir slowly without breaking the rice grains

Drain the water

In a pot add the corn oil and let heat for 1 minute

Add the rice mix in the pot

Cover and leave on high heat for 1 minute

Reduce the heat and let the rice steam for 10-15 minutes

Serve with your choice of meat or by itself with a small bowl of yogurt on the side

You may add some saute' caramelized onions as topping

Enjoy!

 

Caged Beef Kabobs (Kabob-e-Toori).......... or Easy Kabob Koobideh

Seven Spice Chicken Kabob (Morgh Kababi ba Haft Advieh)

The seven spices that you use:

1- Grind ginger

2- Grind cinnamon

3- Grind cumin

4- Grind saffron

5- Paprika powder

6- Garlic powder

7- Red or black pepper (or red pepper flakes)

This spices will do better if you heat them in a pan for 2 or 3 minutes

rob the chicken (boneless or with bone) with this spice mixture and grill on slow flame or saute' in a wok or pan until the chicken in done. Brush with melted butter before serving

Serve with rice or saute'/grilled vegetables

Enjoy the flavor!

Roasted Noodles Rice (Reshteh Polo)

 This is a Persian New Year's dish, usually served once a year.....

It is a must have dish, like turkey for Thanksgiving...

Happy Norouz 1391 (Persian New Year 2012)

 The Persian New year's setting....

7 elements of blessing, all start with the alphabet of "S":

Sabzeh or Grown Wheat (Growth)

Somaagh or Sumac (Life, spiced up)

Sekeh or Gold coin (Wealth)

Seer or Garlic (Health)

Serkeh or Vinegar (may be red wine) (Health)

Seeb or Apple ((Health)

Samanoo or wheat germ (Strength)

In company of:

Gold fish (freedom & liberty)

Candles (love)

Colored eggs ( good times)

Sonbol or hiecine flower (smell of fresh spring flowers) 

A typical Persian party food (in my house) click on the image to see enlaged photo

Eggplant Lasagana (Lazzania Bademjoon) or Italian Mirza Ghasemi!

All vegetarian