Persian cuisine

Persian cuisine‏‎, also known as Iranian cuisine, is the traditional and modern style of cooking in Iran. It includes a wide variety of foods ranging from chelow kabab (rice served with roasted meat: barg, koobideh, joojeh, shishleek, soltani, chenjeh), Khoresht (stew that is served with white Basmati or Persian rice: ghormeh sabzi, gheimeh, and others), aash (a thick soup), kookoo (vegetables or herbs mixed with eggs), polo (white rice alone or with addition of meat and/or vegetables and herbs, including loobia polo, albaloo polo, zereshk polo, and others), and a diverse variety of salads, pastries, and drinks specific to different parts of Iran. The recipes have evolved over the centuries due to the historical interactions Iran has had with the cultures of its neighboring regions.

History

The history of Persian cuisine dates back to the prehistoric era, and has been influenced by the country's long history of agriculture, trade, and invasion. The cuisine is characterized by the use of various herbs and spices, such as saffron, turmeric, cinnamon, and cardamom, as well as fruits such as pomegranate, plum, quince, prune, apricot, and raisin.

Ingredients

The main staples of Persian cuisine are rice and bread. Rice is often served with meat, vegetables, and nuts, while bread is typically served with cheese, herbs, and a variety of spreads. Other common ingredients include lamb, chicken, fish, eggplant, spinach, garlic, and yogurt.

Dishes

There are numerous traditional dishes in Persian cuisine, such as Chelow kabab, which is considered the national dish of Iran, and Khoresht-e fesenjān, a thick, tart stew made from pomegranate syrup and ground walnuts. Other popular dishes include Dolma, Tahdig, Ash-e anar, and Shirazi salad.

Beverages

Traditional Persian beverages include Doogh, a savory yogurt-based drink, and chai, or tea. Tea is an integral part of Persian culture, and is typically served with sugar cubes or rock candy.

Desserts

Persian cuisine also boasts a wide variety of desserts, such as Baklava, Zoolbia and Bamieh, and Faloodeh. These desserts are often flavored with rose water, honey, and saffron.

See also

• List of Iranian dishes
• Iranian tea culture
• Iranian bread