Shir Berenj is Rice Pudding Persian style! Back when the fancier European desserts such as pate choux, éclair, rollet, panna cotta and many others had not found their way into the homes and hearts (stomachs) of Iranians, there was this simple and creamy Persian dessert called Shir Berenj. I grew up eating Shir Berenj (Shirbinish in Azeri)…
SHOLEH ZARD شله زرد | PERSIAN SAFFRON RICE PUDDING
Today I’m sharing a special recipe for Sholeh Zard that has been handed down by my mom’s family for several generations. My mom was an amazing cook and a great person. Not only did she know all of her delicious recipes by heart but also she had all the patience in the world with her…
TAR HALVA ترحلوا
Tar Halva is a very traditional Persian dessert made with rice flour, ground cardamom and butter. It is sweetened with a light saffron syrup that is mildly scented with rosewater. Tar Halva translates to “moist halva,” which is a different version of the regular Halva; it is made with rice flour and has a softer…
GHEYGANAKH | KHAGINEH خاگینه
Gheyganakh is an Azeri/Persian dessert, called Khagineh in Farsi. It is made with very simple ingredients: Flour, eggs, sugar and milk or water. The mixture of these ingredients make up the basic batter that is then fried in butter or oil until golden brown. Then a light rose scented saffron syrup transforms this fried batter…
TABRIZI PALDA پالدا | AZERI WHEAT CUSTARD
This is a Tabrizi dessert that my great aunt used to make when I was a very young girl. She called it Palda, which is the Tabrizi word for Paludeh or Faludeh. In some parts of Iran this is called Larzunak (something that shakes) because of its Jello-like consistency. Palda is very different from the Persian dessert called…
HALVA ZANJABIL | GINGER HALVA
Halva means sweets or desserts. There are many different types of Halva that are made with a variety of ingredients and different texture and taste. Most Persian Halvas are made by making a roux with flour and butter and then cooking it with a sweet syrup until it has a soft-dough consistency. Today I’m so…
BAKLAVA|BAGHLAVA باقلوا
Baklava (Baghlava), this popular dessert is made in different parts of the world with some slight variations. It has layers and layers of flaky pastry surrounding nuts and spices and sweetened with an fragrant syrup. I make mine with almond and walnut filling. Baklava, or Baghlava as we call it in Farsi, looks a lot more complicated…
FERENI فرنی | PERSIAN RICE CUSTARD
This Fereni is my mom’s recipe, and she learned it from my grandmother. It always reminds me of the carefree days of my childhood when desserts were simple and yet wonderful. She always made Fereni in fall and winter and I have kept up the tradition and with the arrival of cold weather everyone in…
SHIRINI NAPOLEONI شیرینی ناپلئونی | NAPOLEONS
Each member of my family has that one very favorite dessert that they always wish for on their special day; Shirini Napoleoni or Napoleons has to be my husband’s. I have to say that Shirini Napoleoni, like most of my Persian desserts, was created after many cravings for the desserts in Iran. I remember there was a pastry…