Stocking a Persian Pantry
In Episode #15, co-hosts Bita and Beata share thoughts on what they feel are essential ingredients and kitchen appliances/hardware to stock a Persian Pantry for basic recipes. Ingredients White, long grain Basmati rice (refer to episode #3, ‘Rice’) Spices - saffron, turmeric, sumac, cumin, cardamom, rose petals, rose water, mint, salt, limoo omani (dried lime) Pomegranates - fresh and in molasses form Cucumbers Citrus - oranges and orange blossom water Beans and legumes - chickpeas, kidney beans, white beans, lentils, black eyed peas Tomatoes - stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, tomato soup or ketchup as shortcuts Stocks - vegetable broth and chicken stock (homemade or ready made) Herbs - parsley, cilantro, mint Fats - vegetable oil, butter, ghee, olive oil Plain yogurt Eggs Flours - rice flour, almond flour, wheat starch, corn starch Sugar and honey Equipment Rice cookers Nonstick pot with tight fitting lid Colanders Chopping device/food processor Instant Pot/pressure cooker (optional) Air fryer (optional) Ask the Beats! Fariba from LA asks: “How does saffron affect flavor in Persian foods?” It has a mildly sweet flavor which is lightly floral and a pleasing, delightful aroma. It also provides a yellowish orange tint to foods. Recipe and resource links from this episode: Resources: Ovenhug’s resource for How to Stock a Persian Pantry Ovenhug’s Spice Guide Bita’s recipe for: Sumac Roasted Vegetables Khoresh Karafs: Bita’s recipe for: Khoresh Karafs | Persian Celery Stew Beata’s recipe for: Khoreshteh Karafs Celery and Herb Beef Stew Loobia Polo Bita’s recipe for: Loobia Polo | Persian Green Bean Rice Beata’s recipe for: Lubia Polo for the Persian New Year Sezdeh be Dar Picnic Persian Salads: Bita’s recipe for: Salad Shirazi | Persian Tomato and Cucumber Salad Bita’s recipe for: Mast o Khiar | Persian Yogurt and Cucumber dip Beata’s recipes for Persian Salads: Maast-o-Khiar with Shallot and Salad Shirazi Adas Polo: Bita’s recipe for: Adas Polo | Persian Lentil and Date Rice Ash Reshteh: Bita’s recipe for: Ash Reshteh | Persian Herb and Noodle Soup Beata’s recipe for: Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup Beata’s recipe for: Asheh Reshteh – Persian Noodle Soup – Original Recipe Post Podcast production by Alvarez Audio