Menu: A Fragrant Iranian Dinner

In The Land of Bread and Spice, Anissa Helou details the captivating cuisine she encountered in the cities of Iran. Inspired by her travels, this menu touches on a variety of classic Iranian dishes: a rice pilaf studded with orange rind and pistachios and crisped with a golden crust, herb meatballs in a bright tomato-plum sauce, spicy chicken and tomato kebabs, and more.

The Menu

More About This Menu

Serve the eggplant dip with fresh lavash, the thin, soft flatbread that is a staple in Iran�it can be found at grocery stores and specialty markets.
If you live in a city with an Iranian-American community, many of the ingredients for these recipes can be found at Middle Eastern markets and specialty foods stores. No matter where you live, they are easy to obtain by mail order�see our selection of pantry staples and where to get them in the ingredient gallery.
The coveted crust that is the distinguishing feature of shirin polow is known as tah dig. Once the cooked rice is drained, it's spooned over a piece of lavash over the bottom of a pot, then put back on the stove to crisp up. The grains retain a hint of bite, similar to pasta al dente.
Barberries, featured in the dish Tah Chin, are a local fruit in Iran with a tart flavor. If you don't have access to them, you can substitute dried cranberries.
For even more ideas to pair with this menu, see our gallery of Iranian recipes »

Comments (4)

by MAITCHBEE on 2012-03-21

the menu did not download

by SPARKYTOOT on 2012-03-21

Yes, there wasn't a menu on this page.

by JUJUROO on 2012-03-29

The chicken kabobs are called JUJEH kabob, not Juleh. Juleh has no meaning in Farsi.

by THENEWCOMER on 2012-04-04

What about sheep brain and hooves?
http://thenewcomer.wordpress.com/2011/08/21/a-clean-zombie/

And here's a truly awful Iranian dish:
http://thenewcomer.wordpress.com/2009/08/11/a-horrible-iranian-dish-meat-juice/

But here's how to throw an elegant Iranian dinner party:
http://thenewcomer.wordpress.com/2009/06/15/iranian-dinner-party/