Episode 18: Persian Appetizers

In Episode #18, co-hosts Bita and Beata explore favorite unique Persian appetizers both traditional and modern and new.  At the end of the episode, the duo touches on strategies for cooking eggplant to ensure a smooth and creamy consistency in dips and dishes.

Why make Persian appetizers?

• Game time snacks
• Healthy
• Fun and unique – home more, more opportunities to cook and to eat and snack

Bita’s favorite Persian appetizers

• Sabzi Khordan
  • a platter with warm breads, fresh herbs, nuts, and cheese (normally feta)
  • loghmeh (Farsi for small sandwich) – creating a perfect warm sandwich bite with thick whole wheat pita bread, butter, feta cheese, walnuts and cilantro
• Eggplant sides – Eggplant Borani/Kashkeh Bademjoon/Bademjan
  • Baked eggplant (peel the skin) blended with kashk or yogurt, olive oil, garlic, salt, mint and walnuts
• Beata’s favorites Persian snacks and twists on Persian appetizers
• Chicken wings!  
  • Basic recipe – 
  • Pomegranate Molasses Chicken Wings – 

Other healthy and unique Persian appetizers explored –

• Persian slider burgers
• Mast-o-khiar
• Meatballs
• Koo koo sabzi (mini snacking version prepared in muffin tins)

Ask the Beats!

Mona from Sacramento asks: How do you get eggplant creamy every time?

Make sure you cook the eggplant long enough.  Cook it whole with the skin on until it is wrinkly and collapsed.  Remove the skin – the flesh should be soft and mushy.  Adding oil, kashk, or yogurt will also help add creaminess to an eggplant side dish or appetizer.

Recipe and resource links from this episode:

Sabzi Khordan:

• Bita’s recipe for Sabzi Khordan | Persian Herb Appetizer Recipe

Eggplant dip:

• Bita’s recipe for Eggplant Borani/Kashk Bademjan | Persian Eggplant Dip
• Bita’s video for Roasting Whole Eggplant

Chicken Wings:

• Beata’s recipe for Baked Chicken Wings
• Beata’s recipe for Pomegranate Glazed Wings

Koo Koo Sabzi:

• Bita’s recipe for Koo Koo Sabzi | Herb Quiche Muffins
• Beata’s recipe for Persian Frittata Koo Koo Sabzi – BeatsEats

Sliders and meatballs 

• Bita’s recipe for Persian Kabab Slider Burgers
• Beata’s app recipes: 7 Easy Cocktail Party Appetizers

Yogurt dips:

• Bita’s recipe for Mast-o-khiar
• Beata’s recipe Maast-o-Khiar

Additional resources:

• Oven hug Persian Bites free e-cookbook

Podcast production by Alvarez Audio