Taste Traditional Iranian Flavors Through These Dishes

Âlbâloo polo is a sweet rice dish
Âlbâloo polo is a sweet rice dish | © SaMin SAmIN / WikiCommons

When it comes to Iranian cuisine, kabob is surely the first thing to come to mind, but that wouldn’t be doing the gastronomic experience in Iran justice. The range of dishes is extensive, often with local variations, and the flavors are distinct. From stews simmered to perfection to fragrant saffron rice, Culture Trip presents the most delectable dishes to taste traditional Iranian flavors.

Fesenjoon

A dish that may not look appetizing, but tastes amazing, fesenjoon is a concoction of pomegranate paste and finely ground walnuts simmered with either meatballs, chicken, or duck. Taking a bite of perfectly tender meat covered in tart sauce is eating not only one of the most beloved Iranian stews but also a taste of Persian heritage. And don’t worry about the layer of oil that may be sitting on top—it’s heart-healthy oil from the walnuts.

Ghormeh sabzi

Herbs, kidney beans, and whole dried limes make ghormeh sabzi a favorite

Âlbâloo polo

Âlbâloo, sour cherries, flourish in the summer and are eaten fresh or as dried fruit, jam, or fruit leather. These tart cherries are boiled in sugar until they break and are then layered in saffron rice with chicken or meatballs for that perfect sweet-and-salty combination. Those with a stronger sweet tooth can sprinkle extra sugar on top.

Âlbâloo polo is a sweet rice dish

Beh âloo

Beh âloo stew is a festival of flavors and textures. The main ingredients, quince (beh) and aloo (dried plums with the pit), are simmered with chicken or beef. Iranians are major fans of dried plums, and adding them to this stew is just one of their uses. Much like sour cherries, quince is another fruit commonly used in jams, and in this case, also in a savory rice dish. The best is a home-cooked version that hits the spot, especially on a cold winter’s day.

Quince and plums add sweetness to this savory dish

Morasa polo

Morasa polo, or jeweled rice, gets its name from the colorful nuts and berries that sparkle on top. Saffron adds a touch of yellow, while slivered pistachios and almonds, finely sliced orange rind, barberries, and raisins give the appearance of this rice being drowned in everything from emeralds to rubies, hence the name. Served with chicken, morasa polo is definitely the crown jewel and most royal of all the rice dishes.

Morasa polo is named for the jewel-like toppings

Chelo kabob

Arguably the national dish of Iran, kabob has varieties such as kubideh (ground beef or lamb), chenjeh (cubed steak), barg (flattened filet mignon), or chicken and is served with a plate of chelo, plain white Persian rice. This legendary fragrant staple features a bit of saffron-soaked rice for color and flavor and a slab of butter to mix in so that it’s as fluffy as possible. The meat and rice are finally topped with sumac for a tangy bite and served with raw onion and fresh herbs.

Barg kabob served with grilled tomatoes

Tadeeg

Tadeeg may not be a dish per se, but it certainly takes center stage on the table. Literally “bottom of the pot,” tadeeg is the crust of the rice that sticks to the bottom of the pot. The most beloved part of the rice, this crispy decadence is the most sought-after (and fought-over) plate, and the first thing finished. In its most traditional form, it’s just crusty rice, but thinly sliced potatoes or lavash bread are also greased and placed at the bottom of the pot before the rice is added to create varieties of this crowd favorite.

Potato tadeeg is a favorite

Dizi sangi

One of the most traditional Iranian dishes, dizi sangi is a stew of lamb, tomatoes, potatoes, and various legumes cooked in a clay pot with a lump of fat. The liquid is poured into a bowl and eaten with shredded pieces of bread. Meanwhile, the remaining bits are mashed together (with or without the fat) in the pot, spread on flatbread, and eaten with pickled vegetables, onions, and/or fresh herbs. No trip to Iran is complete without trying this one.

Dizi is cooked and served in a clay pot

Gheymeh

Gheymeh consists of split yellow peas, small cubes of beef (emphasis on small), and whole dried lime cooked with nutmeg and cinnamon and topped with French fries. Some even like to include eggplant, transforming this dish into gheymeh bâdemjân. Commonly served during religious festivals as a charitable offering, gheymeh is sure to satisfy your tummy at any time.

Gheymeh is often served during religious festivals

Tachin

Tachin is essentially a baked rice cake with chicken layered into yogurt, egg yolk, and saffron-soaked rice. The ingredients are pressed together into a greased dish and baked in the oven, and then sliced just like a cake. With all these flavors infused in the rice, tachin makes some of the most delectable, crispy tadeeg.

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