Nov 10

I finally got around to making Koofteh Berenji, which is a very tasty Persian recipe that mixes ground beef, aromatic green vegetables, and rice!

Koofteh Berenji

Koofteh Berenji

One thing to note is that some of the aromatic green vegetables (Sabzi moatar) are not easily found (i.e., Reyhan and Tareh). I used a bit of Cilantro in place of Reyhan since I didn’t have dry or fresh Reyhan. And as I have mentioned in other recipes, in place of Tareh you can use the ends of green onions. But if you happen to have these ingredients definitely use them :)

Ingredients (makes 6 large Koofteh Berenji’s):
1 lb ground beef –lean ground beef (kam charbi) is better
1 lb aromatic green vegetables : mint, Reyhan (if you have it), Tarragon (Tarkhan), Green onions (the ends in place of Tareh; unless you have Tareh), and Parsley. I used Cilantro in place of Reyhan.
2 onions — 1 to be grated and added to the ground beef, the other to be chopped up for Piaz dagh (fried onion)
1 cup rice
1 cup split yellow peas
3 eggs
turmeric
salt/pepper
lemon juice
1 tablespoon tomato Paste
1/2 teaspoon (or less) baking powder or baking soda
zereshk (barberries)
crushed walnuts

Mixing the ingredients for Koofteh Berenji

Mixing the ingredients for Koofteh Berenji

Forming the Koofteh Berenji

Forming the Koofteh Berenji

Directions:
Boil some water in a small pot and add the rice. Once the rice boils use a strainer to drain the water. In a small pot boil water and add the split yellow peas and allow them to boil and then use a strainer to drain the water.

Chop up all the Sabzi (green vegetables), you can use a food processor to chop them up as well. In a large bowl, mix in the grated onion, turmeric, salt, and pepper with the ground beef. Add the rice, split yellow peas, and the green vegetables to the ground beef and mix all the ingredients. Add the baking powder (or baking soda) and the three eggs and mix the ingredients. If you desire you can add a bit more salt and pepper.

In a pot go ahead and saute the chopped onion. Once the onion has turned a golden color take out half the onions. Add 2 cups of water into the pot and set the stove top heat to medium. Mix some zereshk (barberries) and walnuts with the fried onions you took out of the pot. Once the water boils begin forming large round balls and insert bits of the zereshk, walnuts, and fried onions mix into the center.

Insert zereshk, walnuts, and fried onion into center

Insert zereshk, walnuts, and fried onion into center

Cooking the Koofteh Berenjis in water

Cooking the Koofteh Berenjis in water

Note: you can poke a hole to the center of the ball and add the mixture of zereshk, walnut, and fried onion then cover over the hole.

After all the Koofteh Berenji’s are formed and in the pot add the tomato paste and some lemon juice. Make sure the Koofteh Berenji’s are covered with water, if needed add more water to make sure they are all covered. Place the lid on the pot and allow it to cook for 45 minutes.

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Nov 05

I didn’t know of this dish until I became friends with plenty of people from Shiraz. Its a vary tasty Persian recipe that can be eaten with Koofteh (meatballs) or chicken. The Shevid Loobia (Loobia Polo Shirazi) I have explained below is made with Koofteh (meatballs). Also, a key item that adds a sweet and sour taste is the Rob va Shireh (a pomegranate and sugar syrup) that is poured over the Shevid Loobia rice.

Shevid Loobia

Shevid Loobia

Ingredients for 4-6 servings:
3 cups rice –rinse rice and soak in warm water for 2-3 hours, add salt to the water
1 cup black eye peas –I used Persian black eye peas from Shiraz that are extremely tiny, so I used less than 1 cup of black eye peas — rinse the beans and soak in cold water for 2-3 hours
1 large onion –half to be grated for the ground beef and half to be chopped up
.75 lb to 1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup Shevid (dill) — dry dill or fresh dill
turmeric
salt/pepper
pomegranate paste — desired amount (the more you use the more sour your syrup will be)
sugar –desired amount (the more you use the sweeter your syrup will be)
3/4 cup water
oil

Loobia Polo Shirazi

Loobia Polo Shirazi

Directions:
For the Koofteh (meatballs) — in a bowl add the grated onion, ground beef, some turmeric powder, salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Mix ingredients well. In a frying pan heat up oil (medium heat) and add the chopped onion. Begin forming tiny meatballs and placing it in the frying pan. Once all the Koofteh is prepared stir the contents around and then place the lid on top of the frying pan. Leave the heat on a medium-low temperature and all the meatballs to cook.

In a small pot boil some water and add the loobia (beans). Allow them to cook on a medium heat for 20-30 minutes (or until soft) then drain out water in a strainer.

Shevid Loobia

Shevid Loobia

In a large pot bring water to a boil and add the loobia into this pot, then add the rice. Allow the rice to boil and then you want to strain the contents and drain out the water. If you are using fresh dill you will need to add it into the pot as well. Return the pot to the stove top and add 1/2 a cup water to the pot and some oil. If using dry dill add half of the rice to the pot then sprinkle the dill over the rice and cover with the remaining rice. Place a towel or cloth over the lid of the pot and place it on the pot. The stove top temperature should be on high, and once steam begins leaving the sides of the pot you will take the temperature down to low. Leave on the stove top for over 45 minutes (the longer it stays the crispier your tah digh will become).

In a small pot you need to pour in the water (3/4 cup) and bring it to a boil. Add the amount of sugar you prefer and stir, then add some robeh anar (pomegranate paste). You will end up with a syrup that has a sweet and sour taste and goes very well with Shevid Loobia (Loobia Polo Shirazi).

When the Shevid Loobia polo (rice) is done you want to mix together the dill with the rice as you are taking it out of the pot. Serve with the koofteh and pomegranate/sugar syrup. If you choose you can add some saffron to the a bit of the rice and sprinkle it on top of the rice in the serving dish.  Its best to not pour the syrup over all the Shevid Loobia, but to allow everyone to add it themselves to the Shevid Loobia in their plates.

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Nov 03
Chutney (Chatni)

Chutney (Chatni)

Chatni (Chutney) is a condiment that can be consumed with practically any meal. This specific recipe is for a spicy Chutney that mainly has Cilantro and green Chili Peppers. Though Chutney has an Indian origin I have eaten this specific Chutney (Chatni) with many Afghan dishes, and find that it goes well with Persian dishes too.

Ingredients:
1 or 2 bunches Cilantro
4 or more green Chili Peppers — (the more you use the spicier it gets)
Garlic –crushed
Salt
Lemon Juice or Vinegar

Directions:
The amount of the ingredients really depends on how spicy or mild you want to make the Chutney (i.e., add more Cilantro to make it mild). You can use a blender to puree the ingredients, or just finely chop up the Cilantro, green Chili Peppers, and Garlic. Mix all the ingredients and refrigerate until you are ready to serve it.

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