Homeland

This is a story about Iranian food. Iranian cuisine is among the finest in the world. It is both sophisticated and simple. Sometimes, travellers think that food in Iran is spicy like in the neighbouring countries, but it is not the same. Persian flavours are a balance between sweet and sour, also herbs and spices. There are three important features in Persian food: the method of cooking, the taste, and the way the food is served.

Persian cooking requires lots of time to be done properly. The main dishes are stews which take more time to be prepared and served on the table. Persian food is cooked slowly for a long time until all ingredients are cooked well. Even the dishes that are fried, must be cooked over slow but steady heat. In Iran most of main dishes are prepared in a similar way. First, onions are chopped and fried with spices such as curcuma (turmeric), pepper and salt. Then meat is added and depending on the kind of a stew other ingredients are added. Flavours are very mild in this cuisine. Saffron, curcuma and pepper always accompany Persian food but in small amounts. The best place to discover it, without a doubt, is by sharing a meal in an Iranian house, as the secrets of all these delicious recipes are passed on from one generation to another as a precious legacy.

Sharing food is a central part of Iranian culture. Many dishes are cooked for specific occasions and celebrations such as New Year (Nowruz). Iranian people deeply appreciate having meals together and have turned the picnic into an art form. During weekends, you can see many families settling in parks and nature to grill kebab, drink black tea, and simply share a pleasant meal together. At home, serving food is different. People nowadays sit around the table. But the traditional way of sitting on the floor, around the traditional handmade tablecloth called “Sofreh”, is still quite common. Meals are often served with appetizers such as yoghurt, olives, “Shirazi salad” (made with cucumbers, onions, tomatoes and lemon). Another big part of the Persian meal is rice. There are two types of rice: “polo” (rice mixed with beans or vegetables) and “cholo” (plain rice).

Persian food is not just food, it is a whole different experience of flavours and colours. So try it once and you will be talking about it your whole life! Many people tried Iranian food and recommended it to others because of the fabulous experience of taste and flavour. Enjoy your meal and help yourself!