Kabuli Pulao – The Afghan National Dish
Kabuli Pulao is an incredibly delicious dish from Afghanistan, as the name suggests. This light and aromatic rice dish with lamb, other meat or poultry, that’s jewelled with carrots and raisins is the Afghan national dish. It is also popular in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Other forms of spelling include Qabuli Pulao, Qabeli Palaw and Qabuli Palau. In Persian, we call it Qabeli Polo.
Qabuli, Qabeli, Kabuli, … whatever you may call it, it’s absolutely drool-worthy and I dare you to give it a try! The first time I had it in an Afghan restaurant a few years back it became one of my wife’s and my favourite dishes. I’m sure you’ll love it too, so I just had to borrow this yummy dish from our neighbours and come up with a recipe for it.
Khoresh-e Khalal - Persian Lamb Stew with Dried Limes, Black Barberries, and Slivered Almonds
Khoresh-e Khalal is a flavourful lamb stew from the Kermanshah province in western Iran. The black barberries give the dish a pleasant hint of sourness. The sun-soaked limes add further tartness and irresistible fragrance, while the slivered almonds add texture, making each spoon full a multi-sensory adventure.
Khoresh-e Kadoo Sabz - Persian Lamb Stew With Zucchini (Courgette)
Khoresh-e Kadoo Sabz is a delicious Persian lamb stew with courgette/zucchini, sour grapes, and tomatoes. This tasty red stew is very popular with European and American friends.
Chelo Mahicheh Pesaran-e Karim - Karim’s Sons’ Lamb Shanks And Rice
‘Pesarane Karim restaurant’ is a very famous name that (if you’re a foodie) can make you hungry just by hearing it. The history behind this restaurant begins in 1921 with Karim Qasemzadeh Hatami, also known as Karim Shishliki. He became successful and helped the Mashhad food and restaurant industry a lot through the influence that came with his success. In 1980 his sons decided to grow the business and focus on their signature dish ‘Chelo Mahicheh’, that carries their name ever since. It’s a very famous recipe that’s not only served in their own chain restaurants but also elsewhere and in many households in Iran.
Khoresh-e Beh – Persian Quince Lamb Stew
Quince season is in full swing here in the UK and so I’m bringing you the perfect Persian recipe to showcase this delicious autumn fruit: Khoresh-e Beh, a Persian quince lamb stew! It’s very easy to make! The prep time is short and sweet and it basically takes care of itself in the pot.
Khoresh-e Karafs – Lamb Celery And Herb Stew
Khoresh-e Karafs is a hearty lamb and herb stew with celery. Fresh lemon juice allows you to add sourness to your liking. It’s one of those dishes, that I didn’t like as a kid and I cannot tell you how much I regret that! If you love Ghormeh Sabzi, you'll likely love Khoresh-e Karafs as well.
Kabab Koobideh Recipe
Kabab Koobideh is made from ground lamb or beef or a mix of both. It simply translates to slammed kabab, because of how it was made traditionally in the past. The meat was placed on a large stone and got smashed with a wooden mallet. It is usually served with rice or bread. Both options are also served with grilled tomatoes and sumac on the table for garnishing. I personally love it with bread, fresh basil and sliced onions.
If you go to an Iranian restaurant, Kabab Koobideh is definitely one of the Kabab dishes on the menu. Being inexpensive but at the same time very juicy and tasty makes Kabab Koobideh one of the most ordered in any Persian restaurant or household.
Baghali Polo Ba Mahicheh - Persian Dill And Broad Bean Rice With Lamb Shanks
Baghali Polo ba Mahicheh is an aromatic Persian rice dish with fava beans aka broad beans and dill, served with flavourful, tender lamb shanks.
Khoresh Gheymeh Bademjan – Lamb Aubergine Stew with Split Peas
Khoresh-e Gheymeh Bademjan is a delicious Persian lamb stew with aubergines/eggplants, yellow split peas, and tomatoes. This tasty red stew is very popular with European and American friends.
Ghormeh Sabzi – Persian Lamb Stew with Herbs
Ghormeh Sabzi is a Persian classic! This hearty lamb stew is packed with herbs, giving it a multifaceted flavour. When you ask Iranians about their favourite food most of them will say it’s Ghormeh Sabzi.
Khoresh-e Gheymeh - Persian lamb stew with yellow split peas and dried limes
Gheymeh Stew is one of the classic Persian dishes! This lamb stew with yellow split peas, topped up with crispy homemade potato fries is high up on most Iranians’ list of favourite foods. If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend you do. I’m sure you’ll love it!
I’m certain that I’m not the only one who has memories of family dinners revolving around Khoreshe Gheymeh. Usually we would all storm the kitchen as soon as the enticing smell of homemade fries hitting the hot oil would reach our bedrooms. Needless to say, few of the fries lasted until it was time to serve. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
Khoresh-e Goje Sabz (Aloocheh) – The Sour Stew: Lamb, Herbs and Green Plums
Khoresh-e Goje Sabz is a flavourful lamb and herb stew with mouthwatering Persian green plums. As you may know, us Iranians love all things sour and so one thing many of us are obsessed with are Goje Sabz, Persian green plums. These are plums that are harvested unripe and therefore they are wonderfully crunchy and sour. In the stew they become soft but they give it a refreshing sour taste. You can find them in Middle Eastern and Turkish grocery stores and they are in season now.
Khoresh-e Bamieh – Persian Lamb and Okra Stew
Khoresh-e Bamieh is a tasty lamb and okra stew from southern Iran. If you’re familiar with Persian food, you know, that we love a hint of sourness in our stews. In this dish the sourness comes from tamarind paste. This is an ingredient, that is used quite a lot in southern Iran.
Loobia Polo Recipe - Persian Lamb and Green Bean Rice
Loobia Polo is my absolute favourite dish! I know I say this a lot, put hands down, if I could only pick one favourite, it would be Loobya Polo. It is a mouthwatering Persian rice dish with lamb and green beans. The sauce is cooked first and then combined with the rice. They both steam together for around 1 hour, allowing the rice to absorb all the rich flavours of the sauce.
Kabab Tabei - Persian Pan Kabab
Kabab Tabei is such an easy and quick kabab recipe and doesn’t require a bbq! It’s the go-to Persian kabab for a busy day when you need less of the hassle but just as much of the flavour of a mouthwatering kabab.
Khoresh-e Havij - Persian Lamb and Carrot Stew
Khoreshe Havij is a tasty carrot lamb stew. As with many Persian stews all the magic happens in the pan, all on its own. The prep time is short and sweet!