Shole Zard

Hello there lovely readers!I’m super excited about today’s post because it’s a very special one for me….it’s my Bloggerversary!!! yay!

That’s right, it’s been a whole year since I started this blog and I gotta say that’s pretty incredible. Who knew I had so much to say 😉

So in honour of this blessed event I have decided to share with you a special dessert recipe. In fact it’s a rice pudding, I figured since the weather is cold it will hit the spot!

What’s so special about this pudding you might ask? well, firstly it’s very easy to make and secondly it’s awesome 😉

Shole Zard is a saffron rice pudding, it’s basically the Rolls Royce of rice puddings!! I’m serious, once you try it you are hooked and no other rice pudding can compare. If you doubt me then I encourage you to make it and see what all the fuss is about. It was a real hit during our market days in Hobart, one of our best sellers.

Only a handful of ingredients are used, however you will need to use Saffron. Be sure not to substitute it for food colouring because it won’t give you the same flavour. Also prepare the Saffron mixture beforehand so you have it ready to use.

Ok, so I got a little excited about my Bloggerversary and created a little GIF…don’t think less of me!!

 

 

 

Shole Zard recipe

Ingredients:

• Risotto rice (I use this because it’s easier)
• Saffron mixture (steep it by adding a pinch of Saffron threads to 3/4 cup of boiled water and cover the cup for 30 mins)
• Caster sugar
• Slivered Almonds
• Cinnamon powder
• Persian Rose water (if you are using other types of Rose water like Arabic or Indian make sure to dilute it with water as they are way too strong!!)
• Unsalted butter
• slivered/chopped Pistachios to decorate

 

Method: 

• In a large cooking pot wash and rinse 1.5 cups risotto rice then add 5-6 cups of water to it and soak overnight
• simmer the rice on low/med heat until rice mixture has thickened (you don’t need to add additional water to the mixture, the above amount is all you need)
• add 1 cup of sugar slowly, you can add more or less according to taste
• use a hand mixer to blitz the mixture
• add 1/2 cup of slivered almonds
• add 1/4 cup of the steeped saffron to the mixture
• let the boil for 15-20 mins on low/med heat
• add 50-60g butter and mix with spoon
• add 1/4 cup of Persian rose water and mix again
• cover the pot with a towel wrapped around the lid and simmer for 10 mins
• Turn off heat and leave to cool
• Pour in smaller bowls and decorate with Cinnamon, slivered Almonds and Pistachios

 

Voila! some delicious Shole Zard decorated traditionally with Cinnamon, Almonds and  Pistachios

Shole Zard is served cold but I like to eat it warm with lots of Cinnamon because I’m strange or whatever but believe me it’s really good especially on a cold Winter’s day it really is the best thing. You can thank me later!

On a side note; Happy Eid to my peeps!! (as it’s not ALL about me 😉 )

Thank you kindly for the support this past year. Here’s to many more blog posts. Till next time Xx

 

Kadoo Ghasemi

Hello my lovely readers, have you missed me? I’m sure you have 😉 I know that I have been tardy with my posts but it’s been a hectic month, I’ve had a lot on my plate but I will make it up to you with two recipes!!

Today’s recipe will feature a very simple but tasty side dish that I submitted to MKR a couple of years ago as one of my entrees. It only requires a handful of ingredients but will taste super amazing and impress anyone’s palate. Not to mention suitable for vegetarians.This dish is actually a lesser known sibling of another very popular dish from the north of Iran called “Mirza Ghasemi”. Both these dishes are from the Gilan provence like most of what I post and discuss….it’s where I get all my inspiration from 🙂

To make Kadoo Ghasemi you will need the following ingredients:

• 5 Zucchinis roughly diced
• 3 cloves of garlic grated
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• salt and pepper to taste

Yes that is it, too easy right?!

hot tip: to make Mirza Ghasemi just substitute the zucchinis with 1 eggplant (smoked/chargrilled) and add some chopped tomatoes

Method:

• Blanch Zucchinis until soft
• take off heat and drain in a colander
• In a medium frying pan fry the grated garlic alongside the turmeric powder
• once the garlic is golden add the Zucchinis and mix through well
• with a wooden spatula break the Zucchini pieces and also flatten them
• repeat this step until mixture is homogenous and has a “baby food” like consistency
• in a small bowl whisk the two eggs and then pour on an empty part of the pan
• add a small slab of butter and a bit more oil to the pan
• make sure you season well with both salt and pepper
• wait until eggs slightly coagulate, then mix into the zucchini mixture

 

Final product served with a dash of Paprika, some Fetta, homemade pickled radish and bread….delish!!

So this dish can be served with rice or bread, as you can see I like to serve it with homemade bread aka Lavash. Hence the second recipe is for the bread as I know a few of you have asked me to provide it in my previous posts. I will save the pickled Radish for a future post though….always leave wanting more 😉

To make the Lavash you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup of plain flour
• 1/3cup of water
• a pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp of greek yogurt
• Nigella seeds for garnish (optional)

Method:

• In a large mixing bowl add all the ingredients together
• kneed until the mixture comes together in a smooth dough
• cover the bowl with a tea towel and rest for 10-15 mins
• separate into small sections and flatten with a rolling pin to 2-5 mm thickness
• pour some Nigella seeds and flatten again with the rolling pin to secure them onto the dough
• press down with fingers to create uneven texture
• heat a medium pan and place dough flatly on the surface
• flip over once the dough becomes raised
• store bread between a tea towel
• cut into triangles and serve

There you have it, two very very easy recipes for you to try. I know you will absolutely love it….I guarantee it!Till next time Xx

by the way how do you like my new decor?!!