I love going down recipe rabbit holes that introduce me to a new culture and cuisine. When "Salt Fat Acid Heat" author/chef Samin Nosrat shared 10 of her favorite Persian recipes in the New York Times, I took it as a personal challenge to cook Persian. Friends encouraged me -- and two even offered to cook alongside.
The dinner was filled with flavor and a magical alchemy provided by the sheer number of fragrant spices and herbs taking a starring role in the meal.
There was a platter overflowing with bright greenery -- delicate lettuces, peppery baby watercress, feathery fronds of dill, fresh parsley, and slivers of baby cucumber, all with a crumbly slab of soft, rich feta and a bowl of honeyed, minty vinegar syrup called Sekanjabin.
Another plate was slathered with a roasted eggplant and labne spread dotted with toasted nuts and drizzled with a saffron tea.
There was a Kuku, a hot-from-the-over Persian frittata, packed with herbs.
The entree was Nosrat's Persian Chicken with Walnuts and Pomegranate, seared chicken thighs stewed in a beautiful thick mole sauce made of cups and cups of ground, toasted walnuts with hints of sweet pomegranate molasses, saffron, and tumeric. It was accompanied by my attempt at making a Persian rice stalwart -- a crispy cake of saffron-infused basmati rice, called Tahdig.
It was a marvelous feast. But, it was dessert that made the meal transcendent.
There was a Saffron Ice Cream, icy, aromatic, and lush. Scoops of it were topped with pieces of candied brittle.
This wasn't any old brittle, mind you. This was Saffron-Rose Water Brittle with Pistachio and Almonds, sprinkled with bits of dried rose petals and crunchy flakes of Maldon sea salt. Pictured above, this was a eyes-roll-back-into-your-head-type of treat. It required me to buy a candy thermometer and I burned myself while making it -- but no matter. It was worth the fuss. More than worth it. This is candy of the Gods.
Now, I need another excuse to make some.
Maybe I should take a queue from the Wall Street Journal next. They have, after all, run a series of Persian recipes from Sofreh owner/chef chef Nasim Alikhani.
Then again, this gorgeous goodie doesn't require an excuse. Just need to have Persian saffron, rose water, dried rose petals, and plenty of nuts on hand. This time though, I will wear protective gloves. Want my digits in tip-top shape, so I can grab a shard of the heavenly stuff as soon as it is cooled.
