Episode 15: 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