Explore every episode of the podcast Modern Persian Food
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking Through the Chaos: What's Filling Our Kitchens Right Now | 01 Apr 2026 | 00:22:12 | |
In today's episode, we're taking a step back from the noise of the world and reconnecting in the most familiar way we know how—through food. With everything feeling a bit heavy and unpredictable lately, we wanted to keep things simple and grounding. This episode is a casual kitchen catch-up, where we share what's been cooking in our homes, the flavors we're leaning into, and how food continues to anchor us through it all. Beata shares how ground beef has been on repeat in her kitchen lately—showing up in a variety of family-friendly meals and comforting favorites. She talks about the realities of feeding cross-cultural kids and the ongoing effort to keep Persian flavors present and meaningful in everyday meals. She's also thinking about how to streamline some of her go-to recipes to make them even more approachable for busy days. Meanwhile, Bita joon has been spending time in the kitchen baking and fine-tuning her breakfast game. She's experimenting with recipes that bring more balance to the start of the day, including a savory twist on a classic morning favorite that's both nourishing and satisfying. We also chat about ideas we've been playing around with, what's inspiring us right now, and a few dishes we're excited to try next. Whether you're cooking every day or just trying to get something on the table, we hope this episode feels like a cozy check-in—and maybe sparks a little inspiration in your own kitchen. Thanks so much for being here with us. All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes
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Recipe links: Persian Haleem Recipe (Oat & Chicken Porridge) | Nourishing & Satisfying – BeatsEats Giti Joon's Famous Tacheen Recipe – BeatsEats Persian Jeweled Tahchin – BeatsEats Salad Shirazi: A Refreshing Persian Cucumber-Tomato Salad – BeatsEats
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Opening and closing music composed by Amir Etemadzadeh, www.amirschoolofmusic.com
Podcast Production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Honoring Nowruz | 04 Mar 2026 | 00:22:22 | |
As we welcome Nowruz this year, we do so with a heavy heart. And yet, even in difficult times, we feel called to honor and commemorate this ancient, beautiful tradition. Nowruz reminds us that light returns, spring follows winter, and renewal is always possible. For Episode 186 of the Modern Persian Food podcast, we are revisiting one of our most beloved and foundational episodes — Episode 126 — where we walk through every part of the Persian New Year season and its rich cultural meaning. Nowruz (also spelled Norooz) literally translates to "new day." Celebrated for over 3,000 years and rooted in the rhythms of the spring equinox, it is the biggest holiday of the year in Persian culture — a time of rebirth, reflection, and reconnection. In this replay, Beata and Bita cover the whole 2+ week celebration, including: ✨ Khaneh Takooni (Spring Cleaning)The ritual "shaking of the house" — a deep seasonal cleaning that symbolizes clearing out stagnant energy and preparing for a fresh start. 🔥 Chaharshanbe SuriThe fiery festival held on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz. Jumping over flames represents releasing the past year's hardships and stepping into health and vitality. 🌱 Growing SabzehSprouting wheat or lentils in advance of the holiday, symbolizing renewal, growth, and the greening of the earth. 🪞 Setting the Haft-Seen TableThe iconic symbolic table display featuring seven items that begin with the Persian letter "S" — each representing hopes for the new year such as health, abundance, love, patience, and rebirth. 🌿 Sizdeh BedarThe joyful picnic day on the 13th day of the new year, when families gather outdoors, release their sabzeh back to nature, and close out the holiday season in community and celebration. Even in times of uncertainty, Nowruz calls us back to intention, beauty, and togetherness. This replay is a reminder of our shared heritage and the resilience woven into these traditions. Whether you are new to Nowruz or have celebrated your whole life, we hope this episode brings comfort, inspiration, and a sense of connection. 🌸 Eid-e Shoma Mobarak — Happy New Year. Modern Persian Food podcast references: Episode 24: Norooz Part 3 Episode 73: Growing Sabzeh with Naz Deravian
Beata's Norooz/Nowruz Persian New Year and Festive Crafts – BeatsEats Beata's Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup and Asheh Reshteh – Persian Noodle Soup – Original Recipe Post Beata's Persian Frittata Koo Koo Sabzi
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes
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Check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.
Opening and closing music composed by Amir Etemadzadeh, www.amirschoolofmusic.com Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Persian Food Inspo from Trader Joe's | 02 Apr 2025 | 00:23:11 | |
In episode #177 of the Modern Persian Food Podcast, we take on the challenge of creating a delicious Persian-inspired four-course meal using only ingredients from Trader Joe's! Whether you're short on time or just looking for easy ways to incorporate Persian flavors into your cooking, we've got you covered. We share our favorite Trader Joe's hacks, shortcuts, and pantry staples that help bring the essence of Persian cuisine to your table—without the fuss! What You'll Learn in This Episode: Join the Conversation! Tune in now and get inspired to cook Persian food the easy way! Episodes and Resources: All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Maast-o Laboo – Persian Beets and Yogurt – BeatsEats Persian Jeweled Tahchin – BeatsEats Vegan Khoresh Karafs – Celery Stew With Mint and Parsley – BeatsEats Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup – BeatsEats Lubia Polo for the Persian New Year Sezdeh be Dar Picnic – BeatsEats
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Check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Persian Ice Cream with Gol | 08 Jun 2022 | 00:17:41 | |
The Beats welcome Mitra Golnazar of Gol Ice Cream to talk about Persian ice cream, what makes it so delicious, and how Gol's philosophy of sourcing quality and fresh ingredients is their secret weapon for creating gourmet bastani.
Get ready to crave so many interesting and delicious flavors!
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast for a new episode every Wednesday! And tell a friend you think might be interested!
References: Modern Persian Food Podcast Episode 34 Bastani | Persian Ice Cream (released 5/26/21) Website: Gol Ice Cream
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Kotlet | 01 Jun 2022 | 00:18:14 | |
Today we're exploring modern versions of an old classic, Persian kotlet! Kotlet is a fan-favorite fried potato patty and we've covering off with tips and tricks for making a lighter, healthier version, including ingredient substitutions, and ways to serve it. Today's "Ask the Beats" comes from Bita's hubby, Bobby. He wants to know how do you keep the kotlet from falling apart and what makes it stick together? Tune in to hear what the Beats share about keeping it tight with kotlet. All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes Bita's recipe link: Baked Persian Kotlet Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and tell a friend. Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Persian Kababs | 25 May 2022 | 00:19:33 | |
Warning: be sure to eat something before listening to this episode all about Persian Kababs! Your mouth will be watering as we explore all of our personal favorites and beyond including joojeh kabab, koobideh, barg, chengeh, shishleek, fish, veggies, and more. These delicious, decadent kababs are chargrilled directly over a hot flame, can you smell it yet?
The "Ask the Beats" in this episode comes from Beata's hubby, Paul who asks: What is the difference between a kabab and a burger?
References: Modern Persian Food podcast episode #4 Onions
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and tell a friend or write a review!
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Persian Weddings | 18 May 2022 | 00:18:34 | |
It's wedding season on the Modern Persian Food podcast! Bita and Beata bring back their first ever guest episode with wedding officiant and planner Nilou Nouri from Nilou Weddings as they talk about the role of food in Persian weddings and what makes Persian weddings unique. They explore modern takes on old traditions and some personal memories and stories of Beata and Bita's own weddings.
Enjoy and let's celebrate love, culture, and partnerships!
Resource links and recipes from this podcast episode:
Episode 20: The Role of Food in Persian Weddings with Special Guest Nilou Nouri
Nilou Nouri: Website: www.nilouweddings.com IG: Nilou Weddings (@nilouweddings) and Nilou Recipes (@nilourecipes)
Bita's recipe for Persian Jeweled Rice | Shirin Polo
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and tell a friend!
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
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| Chickpeas | Nokhod | 11 May 2022 | 00:17:49 | |
The Beats break down the ins and outs of chickpeas also known as garbanzo beans (or nokhod in Farsi) in Persian food and beyond! Chickpeas are fabulous in soups & stews, salads, dips, and as snacks. Chickpea flour is used in an iconic cookie called Nokhodchi and is gluten free. The easiest way to work with garbanzo beans is to use the canned bean variety, although the duo go over how to cook them from scratch, and also some easy go-to recipes. Listen to how chickpeas when mixed into Ajeel trail mix and packaged in a special way can help solve your problems!
This week's "Ask the Beats" is close to co-host Beata's heart and covers one off on a crunchy fan favorite food!
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and tell a friend!
References and recipes: Podcast Episode 11 Tahdigh | Bottom of the Pot Podcast Episode 70: Kateh Persian Rice
Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, Persian food Where the Kebob is Hot
Bita's Aash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup Bita's Vegan Moroccan Stew Bita's Instant Pot Okra Soup Bita's Easy Homemade Hummus Bita's Roasted Chickpeas Bita's Ajeel | Persian Trail Mix
Beata's Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup – BeatsEats Beata's Asheh Reshteh – Persian Noodle Soup – Original Recipe Post – BeatsEats
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Persian Brunch | 04 May 2022 | 00:17:01 | |
Ideas and inspirations for a sweet and savory Persian brunch to enjoy on Mother's day, hanging out with friends and family, or just indulging on your own! Beata and Bita build off their Persian Breakfast episode #27 with some new ways to bring on the weekend and have a leisurely brunch with some Persian flair and flavor.
The "Ask the Beats" covers off on a fun brunch cocktail sure to get anyone closer to their "Gols"!
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and tell a friend.
References: Modern Persian Food podcast episode 27: Persian Breakfasts Beata's recipe: Khormah Maloos | Persian Dates and Eggs – BeatsEats For Bita's cakes, cookies, and sweets go to Persian Desserts, a special bundle of recipes
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Cooking Persian Food for the first time with Mike & Rinne | 27 Apr 2022 | 00:20:28 | |
Today's episode is a true podcasting collab. Co-hosts Beata and Bita are joined by Mikey and Rinne who are the hosts of another podcast, called Mikey and Rinne Eat In.
Mikey is a culinary innovation consultant and helps companies make all new delicious products nationwide. Bita and Mikey connected through an opportunity with Dinnerbell, a heat and eat food service company based out of Palo Alto, California. Bita and Beata, together with Mikey and Dinnerbell curated a limited time menu offering of Persian food just before the Persian new year Norooz/Nowruz. Video and pics are available on the Modern Persian Food instagram page if you'd like to check them out!
The team put together the following menu: Persian tahchin rice cups, a delicious cucumber yogurt dip, skewered chicken, grilled vegetables, pickled veggies, and amazing, aromatic, yummy buttercream Yazdi cupcakes!
Chef Mikey tips for cooking Persian food for the first time -
Ask the Beats: Mikey and Rinne ask "We already have saffron now in our pantry and cooking repertoire, what other Persian ingredient would you suggest we add and try?"
Also catch the Beats on Mikey and Rinne Eat in episode: Persian Food… with Bita and Beata!
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Mikey And Rinne - Podcasters (@mikeyandrinne) • Instagram photos and videos
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and tell a friend!
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| Make Tahdig Not War with Guest Parisa Parnian | 20 Apr 2022 | 00:33:10 | |
Make Tahdig Not War! A T-shirt, a movement, and so much more. In today's episode co-hosts Bita and Beata are joined by a creative expressionist, Parisa Parnian. Special guest Parisa puts passion and meaning behind everything she does. She is the inspiration behind #maketahdignotwar and the growing, peaceful Persian foodie community. We learn the story behind the origination of said shirt as well as the history around Parisa's spice blend, Perxican and her Mexican and Spanish inspired art.
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and tell a friend! Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Persian Easter | 13 Apr 2022 | 00:18:56 | |
Cohosts Beata and Bita reflect on spring time and how they have celebrated Easter, both growing up Persian in the US and also as an adult in their Iranian-American families. They share their favorite Easter and springtime foods and recipes which include:
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Bita's recipe for Deviled Eggs Bita's recipe for Baghali Polo Beata's recipe for Thanh's Classic Deviled Eggs – BeatsEats Beata's post on Bagheleh Polo bah Maycheh – Braised Lamb Shank Over Fava Bean and Dill Rice – BeatsEats
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and tell a friend! Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Conquering Culinary Challenges with Chef Beeta Mohajeri | 06 Apr 2022 | 00:24:11 | |
Listen to our insightful and motivating conversation with chef Beeta Mohajeri with the following topic: How to conquer culinary challenges by diving right in and taking the bull by the horns with a say yes, try everything attitude! We hope you have fun with our triple Beat power…triple Bita/Beata/Beeta action including co-hosts Bita Arabian, Beata Nazem Kelley, and special guest Beeta Mohajeri. Chef Beeta is currently a private chef and has recently opened a new private dining chefs dinner space called Micro904.
Beeta's strategy to success included trying everything in the culinary world (for the last 8 years) until narrowing down what she wants to do, as well as what the world wants her to do. Lesson: try everything, figure out what you don't want to do, then focus on what you love to do!
For more information on Beeta's businesses: Beetzeats.com Instagram: Chef Beeta Mohajeri (@chef.mbeetz)
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and tell a friend. Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Spring Clean into Nowruz/Norooz Persian New Year | 05 Mar 2025 | 00:16:45 | |
Get ready for the biggest holiday in the Persian culture by spring cleaning your kitchen, home, and mind! Persian New Year, also known also as Nowruz or Norooz, marks the beginning of spring and is celebrated around the world.
In this episode, we'll give you the tools to tackle "Khooneh Takoni" spring cleaning through your house and life, and prepare for a clean slate to start the new year off on. The beginning of the year is about renewal, a fresh start, and hope for a bright future.
We'll share an overview of the Nowruz/Norooz season, covering off traditions and rituals to get us ready, how to celebrate the actual event, including what to eat, and the grand final nature picnic on the 13th day after Nowruz.
Green foods are the staple for this occasion and we chat about our favorite dishes and how to serve them.
Check out these previous episodes for an indepth listen to Nowruz/Norooz Persian New Year: Episode 22: Prelude to Persian New Year and Char Shambeh Souri Episode 23 : Persian New Year Haftseen and Food Episode 24: Persian New Year Siz Da Bedar Episode 73: Growing Sabzeh with Naz Deravian Episode 126: Persian New Year Nowruz Episode 164: Extra Sweet Nowruz with Zozo Baking
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes
Sign up for the email newsletter here!
Check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.
Opening and closing music composed by Amir Etemadzadeh, www.amirschoolofmusic.com
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Vegetarian Persian Food | 30 Mar 2022 | 00:16:39 | |
Join us as we explore Persian dishes that are full of vegetables, herbs, legumes, and fruits. Persian cuisine is often plant-based protein rich without needing any meat substitutes. In this podcast episode we cover off on some of our favorite vegetarian appetizers, soups, rice dishes, and luscious khoreshts plus some of our tips and tricks to get the most flavor out of your ingredients.
Learn about Bita and Beata's favorite way to treat guests in this week's "Ask the Beats" segment.
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and tell a friend.
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Recipes referenced include:: Bita's recipe for Salad Shirazi Bita's recipe for Persian Yogurt Dip | Mast-o-khiar Bita's recipe for Kashk Bademjan | Persian Eggplant Dip Bita's recipe for Salad Olivier | Persian Potato Salad Bita's recipe for Sabzi Khordan | Persian Herb Appetizer Bita's recipe for Kookoo Sabzi Bita's recipe for Aash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup Bita's recipe for Soup eh Joe | Persian Cream of Barley Soup Bita's recipe for Lentil and Date Rice | Adas Polo Bita's recipe for Baghali Polo Bita's recipe for Khoresh Karafs
Beata's recipe for: Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup Beata's recipe for: Asheh Reshteh – Persian Noodle Soup – Original Recipe Post Beata's recipe for: Maast-o-Khiar with Shallot and Salad Shirazi Beata's recipe for: Persian Salad Olivieh Beata's recipe for: Persian Frittata Koo Koo Sabzi Beata's recipe for: Vegan Khoresh Karafs – Celery Stew With Mint and Parsley Beata's recipe for: Persian Jeweled Tahchin Beata's recipe for: Giti Joon's Famous Tacheen Recipe
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Salad Olivier | 23 Mar 2022 | 00:18:42 | |
Round out your Norooz/Nowruz season by taking the popular Salad Olivier to Sizdeh Bedar! Sizdeh Bedar is the 13th day of the Persian New Year where it is tradition to get out of the house and have a picnic or spend time outdoors.
Salad Olivier (pronounced ooloovieh or olivieh) is a potato, chicken, and egg salad with a tangy twist – pickles add crunch and a punchy tartness. We serve Salad Olivier as an appetizer or side dish at gatherings. It is a wonderful compliment to kabab at barbecues, potlucks, and picnics - always a crowd pleaser!
Similar to Russian version - both have potatoes, carrots, peas, pickles, and mayo Persian potato salad has boiled eggs and chicken. However Russian potato salad has diced ham, onion and dill, the Persian version does not.
What we like about it:
Basics of recipe:
Recipe variations:
Ask the Beats Bita wants to know, what is a special Sizdeh Bedar memory that you have and can share? Beata: Enjoying a big pot of Maman joon's Loobia polo out in a big park at a picnic
References: Ep 24: Norooz Part 3: Persian New Year Sizdah Behdar Episode 58: Lubia Polo | Green Bean Rice
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Bita's recipe for Salad Olivier Persian Potato Salad Beata's recipe for Lubia Polo for the Persian New Year Sezdeh be Dar Picnic Beata's recipe for Persian Salad Olivieh
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Preserving Culture Through Food and Music with Nadia Deljou | 16 Mar 2022 | 00:27:16 | |
An inspiring conversation with Chef Nadia Deljou of Delle Dining on preserving culture through the sounds, smells, and tastes of Persian food and music.
Background - raised in an Iranian-American family with a father being of Jewish faith. Family and extended family were involved in art, creation, and food with family at the foreground of everyting. Nadia has been able to identify with her culture in a multi-faceted way.
Nadia's approach and mission: To develop greater meaning for self (feeling empowered by culture, confident, and dominant - "wearing my Iranian-ness as loud as I can"), and then package it and expose it to the world in both a traditional and non-traditional way.
Deljou - interpretation and meaning of Nadia's chosen family name (chosen by father's side of the family): someone who is always in search of the goodness in others The Farsi word "Del" - an extension of who she is; two references - the heart and the stomach, heart, stomach, and soul
Nadia also has a background in music! With concentration in independent music
The cross-over and communality among cultures
Food etiquette (like a dance)
Nadia is involved in many facets of integrated Persian cuisine and culture:
Dining events - pairing food with music for an overall immersive experience "Food is so much more than food"
Nadia's candles - a tangible product that evokes place, culture and flavor through scent. An interactive quality including aroma (taste/smell) and music to create a mood and feeling
The intuition of cooking - "Cooking is primitive and so much easier than what people think" Using fire at the end of the day is very primitive
Where to find Nadia Website: Delle Instagram handle: @delledining
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
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| Norooz Haft Seen | 09 Mar 2022 | 00:22:34 | |
Get inspired to set up your own Norooz/Nowruz Sofreh Haft Seen this year! Co-hosts Bita and Beata give an overview of the Persian New Year and encourage everyone to set up the traditional place setting with 7 symbolic items (or with whatever items you can get your hands on!)
Highlights of Norooz (also spelled Nowruz)
Learn more about Norooz in the Modern Persian Food podcast 3-part series episodes 22, 23, and 24 (see links below).
The sofreh Haft Seen is a special place setting with 7 symbolic items starting with the Farsi letter which has the sound of "s"
Items on the Haft-seen place setting or sofreh can include:
Additional, optional items often found on a haft-seen setting
Setting up a haft-seen can take different forms. There is a lot of flexibility with how one chooses to set it up. It can be big or small. It can even be portable! Beata's strategy is to start out with a mirror and then build the haft seen from there. Often Beata will start out with a larger haftseen set up on a table then make it smaller on the days following Norooz. A tray is a clever addition which can be used to move the table setting up if needed, or to even transport it to another place or home altogether.
We encourage you to set up your own haft-seen! Send us your Haft Seen pics and we will share them on IG!
Ask the Beats! Manijeh from Germany asks: "What are you going to eat for Norooz this year?" Sabzi polo - herb rice Mahi - fish Aash eh reshteh - Persian Herb and Noodle Soup Kookoo sabzi
Resource links and recipes from this episode: Modern Persian Food podcast 3-part Series-
Episode 73: Growing Sabzeh with Naz
Recipes: Beata's Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup Asheh Reshteh – Persian Noodle Soup – Original Recipe Post Bita's Aash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup Beata's Persian Frittata Koo Koo Sabzi Bita's Kookoo Sabzi | Quiche Muffins Bita's Easy Marinated Salmon Haftseen for Norooz post
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
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| Persian Cookies | 02 Mar 2022 | 00:18:27 | |
In this podcast episode Beata and Bita explore Persian cookies which are often presented on the Persian New Year Norooz sofreh haft-seen table spread, weddings, and special occasions. They also include a simple recipe for Naan Berenji Persian Rice Flour cookies to inspire their listeners.
What makes Persian cookies unique:
Occasions and traditions to serve and enjoy Persian cookies:
Naan Berenji | Persian Rice Flour Cookies recipe share
Ask the Beats The Beats ask each other about their favorite type of cookie
Bita's response - Naan berenji | Persian rice flour cookies, Russian tea cakes, any home-baked cookie that is made using powdered sugar.
Beata's response - Naan nokhodchi, naan gerdooee (crunchy exterior, soft walnut interior), kaak - diamond shaped delicate layered cookie
Podcast episode references: Episode 6 Shirini | Persian Desserts
Modern Persian Food Podcast: 3 part series about Norooz/Nowruz Episode 22: Norooz part 1: Prelude to Persian New Year and Charshambeh Souri Episode 23: Norooz Part 2, Persian New Year Haft-Seen and Food Episode 24: Norooz Part 3: Persian New Year Sizdah Bedar
Bita's recipe for Naan Berenji | Persian Rice Flour Cookies
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
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| Growing Sabzeh with Naz Deravian | 23 Feb 2022 | 00:34:35 | |
Does growing your own sabzeh give you an anxiety attack? Worry no further!
Co-hosts, Bita and Beata are honored to be joined on the Modern Persian Food podcast by a special guest Naz Davarian in a special tutorial where Naz teaches how to grow sabzeh, also known as Persian grass, from start to finish. Sabzeh is one of the 7 symbolic items arranged on the Haft-seen table for Norooz, the Persian New Year, the sprouting of new life!
Sabzeh represents life, new life, renewal, rebirth, new beginning, celebration
What is growing sabzeh?: It's germinating sprouts from dry seed
What are the seed options for growing sabzeh?: Lentils (looks like clovers), barley, wheat (looks like grass), mung beans, chia seeds (looks like clovers). Naz's preferred seed to sprout is lentil.
Timing: start counting 14 days back from the turning of the season, Norooz this year is March 20th. The timing will vary depending on the climate you are in. If you want your sabzeh to stay fresh and green through the entire 13/14 day celebration, start a couple days "late"
Potential challenges:
What do you need?
How to grow sabzeh:
What to do with the sabzeh:
Referenced podcast episodes: Episode 22: Norooz part 1: Prelude to Persian New Year and Charshambeh Souri Episode 23: Norooz Part 2, Persian New Year Haft-Seen and Food Episode 24: Norooz Part 3: Persian New Year Sizdah Bedar
Dishes referenced: Persian Frittata Koo Koo Sabzi Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup
Article about Haft Seen Salad: Berkeley chef's childhood memories inspire dish for the Persian New Year
Follow Naz Davarian's Instagram @bottomofthepot daily tutorials on growing your own sabzeh Twitter: @bottomofthepot1
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Tahdig Art with Varta | 16 Feb 2022 | 00:19:12 | |
Do you like carbs? How about Fried carbs?? Today's guest on the podcast, Varta Ariaban, describes tahdig as the ultimate fried carb. Varta is a talented food artist specializing in both sweet and savory. On the sweet side she makes beautiful bite-sized modern persian treats. On the savory side Varta loves preparing tahdig with fun designs
Tahdig tips
Type of tortilla for "bread" tahdig art
Varta's shop: Vartamelon.com
Do you have a question for our Ask the Beats segment? Contact us at hello@modernpersianfood.com or Instagram
Resources and recipes from this podcast episode:
Varta's IG handle is @vartamelon Vartamelon.com Tahdig Art template can be found at: https://modernpersianfood.com/episode-72-Tahdig-Art-with-Varta/
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
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| Medicinal Properties of Persian Spices with Dr. Mahtab Jafari | 09 Feb 2022 | 00:25:38 | |
Can we live better, healthier lives, and in some cases, maybe even extend our lives by enjoying the medicinal properties of Persian spices in foods? Maybe!
Join the Beats as they explore the depths of knowledge in an insightful chat with Dr. Mahtab Jafari and explore Persian spices highlighted for medicinal health benefits include saffron, turmeric, cinnamon and rose. Dr. Mahtab is a doctor, a professor, a research scientist, an author, and a director… and so much more. She currently teaches Life 101 in the School of Pharmacy at UCI (see complete bio here in the reference section of the show notes).
Dr. Jafari does research in a lab studying fruit flies. Fun factoid: we share 75% of our disease genes with fruit flies!
Philosophies - as long as there are no inherent dietary deficiencies, you can get what you need in terms of vitamins and minerals from proper nutrition in fresh, healthy food sources!
The spices, herbs and fresh produce, beans, and legumes used in Persian foods provide great health benefits.
References: Dr. Mahtab Jafari
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines a spice as an "aromatic vegetable substance, in the whole, broken, or ground form," whose significant function in food is "seasoning rather than nutrition" and from which "no portion of any volatile oil or other flavoring principle has been removed" (Food and Drug Administration 2007:205-208).
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes Bita's recipe for Tahcheen Bita's recipe for Adas Polo Bita's recipe for Loobia Polo Bita's recipe for Yazdi Cakes
Beata's Recipe Links: Persian Jeweled Tahchin – BeatsEats Giti Joon's Famous Tacheen Recipe – BeatsEats Lubia Polo for the Persian New Year Sezdeh be Dar Picnic
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Kateh Persian Rice | 02 Feb 2022 | 00:15:34 | |
In today's episode, you will learn to make the easiest one pot, no strain rice, in Farsi called "kateh". What is the "kateh" method? A specific, one pot rice technique with no straining required Steps:
Strategies for keeping rice intact and the rice grains as separate as possible
Ask the Beats: Ava from San Luis Obispo asks "what is the one Persian dish you can't live without?" Bita: bread and butter; bread tahdig - crunchy, greasy bread tahdig Beata: sabzi khordan - a platter of fresh herbs, especially enjoyed with breakfast!
Episodes referenced:
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Recipes: Kateh Persian Rice with Tahdig – BeatsEats
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Khoresh Karafs | 26 Jan 2022 | 00:13:55 | |
Make your first Persian stew or "khoresh", an easy Persian celery Stew | Khoresh/t Karafs! This healthy stew is a great dish to start with, including ingredients that are easy to find. Guess what, it's home chef, Beata's joon's very first Persian dish she made herself! For co-host Bita, she grew up eating it on regular rotation as a healthy choice, made with chicken.
What we like about it:
Basics of recipe:
Recipe variations:
Interesting to note, there is a hot debate between Khoresh/t Karafs and Ghormeh Sabzi!
Ask the Beats Sara from Burlingame, California wants to know, "I'm allergic to tomato based products, what's a substitute for tomatoes in Persian stews?" Well, you can simply omit tomato paste/sauce/tomatoes from most Persian stews. Try adding lemon juice for sourness, or "ab eh aloo" (sour plum juice) to experiment with adding sour notes and more color.
Link to Episode 8: Persian Stews | Khoresh
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Beata's recipe for: Vegan Khoresh Karafs – Celery Stew With Mint and Parsley Beata's recipe for: Khoreshteh Karafs Celery and Herb Beef Stew Bita's recipe for: Khoresht Karafs | Persian Celery Stew Recipe - Oven Hug
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Food as Love, featuring Persian Love Cake | 05 Feb 2025 | 00:21:14 | |
Join us for a fun conversation as we explore the stunning and symbolic Persian Love Cake. Learn how to make it using Bita's recipe from scratch, or Beata's shortcuts for an easy version. We customize with flavors of almond, cardamom, saffron and rosewater and include modern twists and tips to inspire you.
In the second half of the episode, we chat about Food as an expression of Love, especially in Persian culture, and also what we've been eating lately. We get personal about our gut and what some of our comfort foods are.
Recipes Referenced: Bita's recipe for Flourless Almond Cake | Persian Love Cake Beata's recipe for Nourishing Persian Haleem: Oat Porridge with Chicken – BeatsEats
Episodes Referenced: Episode 135: Bachelor Cooking with Reza Jax
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes
Sign up for the email newsletter here!
Check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.
Opening and closing music composed by Amir Etemadzadeh, www.amirschoolofmusic.com
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Smoky Persian Flavors | 19 Jan 2022 | 00:15:26 | |
Have you heard of smoked rice? Smoked basmati rice is just one of the smoky flavors the Beats explore in ingredients, dishes, and beyond. There are so many delicious and unique smoky flavors in Persian cuisine, the most notable one being smoked fish.
Fish
Smoked rice
Char-grilling on the grill, in the oven under the broiler, straight on the burner, or on an indoor grill pan
Modern ingredients
Ask the Beats Rebecca from Canada asks, "Beats, where are you from?"
Bita's response - born in Iran, grew up in Michigan, college in Wisconsin, born into a Persian family and married into a Persian family. Live in the SF bay area, 2 young adult daughters and 4 pets, also a part time residence in Orange County. Founder and manager of Ovenhug.com
Beata's response - born and raised in SF/Marin, lived in NY city for 4 years where she started beatseats.com, Now lives back in SF, has 2 young children.
Link to: San Francisco Salt Company
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Bita's recipe for Balal | Persian Street Corn Bita's recipe for Kaskh Bademjan | Persian Eggplant Dip
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Pistachios | Pesteh | 12 Jan 2022 | 00:15:02 | |
Are you ready to get nutty?! In this single ingredient episode, co-hosts Bita and Beata get excited about "pesteh" which is Farsi for pistachios, specifically how to add vibrance, texture and color to everyday dishes and beyond.
Before the Beats dive into ways to incorporate this rich, decadent nut into Persian recipes and beyond, let's explore a few questions.
Why are Persian pistachios special? Roasted and seasoned - marinated in citrus, salt, and saffron How do Persians eat them? Plain, served in a big bowl or with ajeel, garnished on foods/rice dishes and desserts
Garnish on savory dishes
Garnish on desserts
Roasting pistachios
Ask the Beats! What are the top 3 things you pick up from the Persian market?
Bita's response: Jam (cherry, rose, and quince), Dough, and Ready made food such as kebabs and khoresh
Beata's response: Sour Cherry (Albaloo) Jam, barbari bread, and dried omani lemons (limoo omani)
Episodes referenced: Episode 34: Bastani | Persian Ice Cream
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Recipes:
Beata's: Persian Jeweled Tahchin Beata's: Pomegranate Glazed Chicken Wings Bita's: Tah-cheen Baked Chicken and Rice Casserole Bita's: Persian Crispy Rice Cups | Tahchin Bites Bita's: Persian Jeweled Rice | Shirin Polo Bita's: Milky Persian Rice Pudding | Shir Berenj Bita's: Ajeel | Persian Trail Mix Bita's: Persian Nice Cream | Bastani
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| Persian Food with Stand Up Dan | 05 Jan 2022 | 00:25:14 | |
The Beats have so much fun geeking out about Persian food with Dan Ahdoot, a comic actor/writer, and most recently, very first Persian with his own show on Primetime TV! Dan will be the host of a new show that follows "Chopped" on the Food Network (first show airing on Dec. 28th) called "Raid the Fridge". Help us support Dan in what is sure to be a hit show - with Dan's wit and energy, this is going to be a cooking show like no other.
What Dan, doesn't like to eat in terms of Persian food:
Side note: Dan is a huge fan of most Persian foods - an under-represented food cuisine with delicious flavors and a rich history, coming not from poverty but from royalty.
What Dan, does like, and in fact, loves eating in terms of Persian food: Essentially anything that consists of mashed up beans and meat (Dan has a type!), what he refers to as Persian truck driver food. Dan loves the expression "meechaspeh" which is used to describe rib sticking comfort foods and literally is translated from Farsi as meaning "sticking".
Tie in to Dan's new show on Food Networks, Raid the Fridge (first show Dec. 28th) What is the show - Four chefs and four mystery refrigerators. Chefs will choose a fridge and create a meal, for example an omelet, using only the ingredients that are in their chosen fridge. The winner is awarded $10k bucks!
References: Joon Rice Truck - mini tahchin in Queens Night Market Reference to Chef Beeta Mohajari of Orange County Beetz Eats
Find more about Dan at https://www.standupdan.com and Dan Ahdoot (@standupdan)
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
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| Persian Cocktails | 29 Dec 2021 | 00:11:47 | |
In this episode we are gifting you with 5, fun Persian-inspired cocktails!
With our unique ideas you'll have festive cocktails twists to ring in the new year. Disclaimer: all of these drinks can easily be made without any alcohol as mocktails. If you choose to drink, be sure to drink responsibly and have a designated driver.
Pomegranate Fizz - a fun, pinkish, fizzy drink - make with pomegranate juice, club soda or ginger ale, and pomegranate arils as garnish. Optional to spike it with gin.
Sekanjabin mojito - sekanjabin syrup (cooked down sugar/honey, vinegar, and mint), mixed with muddled fresh mint and grated cucumber. Optional to spike it with rum. See Sekanjabin micro episode for more info on how to make the syrup.
Watermelon Slushie - blended frozen innards of fresh watermelon, and sugar, garnished with a small wedge of watermelon. Optional to spike it with vodka. Can use the watermelon from Yalda winter festival, learn more in the Yalda episode.
Gohl Getter - a play on words, as in "goal getter" - go get your new year's resolution goals! Made by mixing rose petal jam with Brut rosé, lime juice, garnished with rose petals and/or rose buds. To make this drink non-alcoholic, use a Martinelli's sparkling apple cider in the place of the rosé. We talk more about flowers in the Gol episode.
Cardamom Hot Toddy - Tea bag with Persian black tea flavored with cardamom, honey, lemon, hot water. Optional to spike it with whisky or bourbon
Ask the Beats - In their last Ask the Beats segment of 2021, the Beats as each other, do you have any goals/intentions for the new year?
Other episodes referenced: Episode 35: Sekanjabin Persian Syrup
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Aash Reshteh | 22 Dec 2021 | 00:17:10 | |
Do you want to make warm, delicious, comforting, nutritious iconic Persian soup, Aash Reshteh, also known as Persian Noodle and Bean and Herb Soup?!
Join the Beats as they walk through their recipes including short-cuts and techniques, and a fun modern take on blending American and Persian cultures - making and eating it for the Western calendar new year on January 1st of the Gregorian calendar (vs the traditional time aash reshteh is enjoyed, the Persian New Year Norouz/Norooz which falls on the first day of spring in March).
Ingredients: Noodles:
Herbs
Vegetables
Spices
Kashk
Beans
Garnish or topping for the soup
Episode Norooz Part 3: Persian New Year Siz Dah Behdar
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Bita's recipe for Aash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup
Beata's short-cup recipe: Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup Beata's traditional recipe: Asheh Reshteh – Persian Noodle Soup – Original Recipe Post
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Yalda | 15 Dec 2021 | 00:18:48 | |
In this heartfelt episode, co-hosts Bita and Bita share 3 ways to celebrate the Persian Winter Festival this year, Shabe Yalda, including 1. How to set it up (the sofreh or special table setting), 2. What to do (traditions and our modern takes), and of course, 3. what to eat (traditionally and what they plan to eat)!
Before jumping into the 3 ways to celebrate ShabeYalda, what exactly is it and when is it celebrated? What is Yalda?: A winter solstice festival, falling on the longest/darkest night of the year, the turning of the seasons from fall to winter When is it?: Typically falls on either Dec 20th and 21st - this year the winter solstice is the morning of the 21st where we are in western hemisphere
Ok, now let's get into how to celebrate this very historical and symbolic occasion, the Persian winter solstice festival!
How does one celebrate Yalda?: A family gathering to set a spread or special table setting, to gather with family, eat a delicious meal, drink (mostly tea!), read and recite poetry, and stay up late! Stay up ward off evil and to welcome light and love in the days following and leading up to the next season, spring!
A song! Leila Fourohar, famous Iranian pop and classical singer. The title of the song is: Madar Bozorgh (which means Grandmother) In the song Leila sings about Yalda….spend time with elders, stay up late telling stories, learning life lessons ….
The set up:
What to do:
What to eat:
Poetry readings:
References to the following two previous MPF podcast episodes include the following: Episode 62 Persian Christmas Traditions Yalda Winter Flavors episode reference Episode 16: Khoresh Fesenjoon | Persian Pomegranate and Walnut Stew
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Bita's post Ajeel Persian Trail Mix Bita's recipe for Fesenjan Persian Pomegranate Chicken
Beata's recipe for Walnut and Pomegranate Stew – Khoreshteh Fessenjoon
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Persian Christmas Menu Traditions | 08 Dec 2021 | 00:21:52 | |
Looking to start some fun new winter holiday traditions? The Beats share several Persian inspired cross-cultural menu ideas to bring Persian flavors to your table this Christmas.
Breakfast/brunch
Appetizer and snack ideas
Main meal/dinner
Dessert
Yalda Winter Flavors episode reference
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Bita's recipe for Persian Jeweled Rice | Shirin Polo Bita's recipe for Easy Marinated Salmon Bita's index of Cookie Recipes Beata's recipe for Jeweled Cinnamon Rolls Beata's recipe for Persian Jeweled Tahchin Beata's recipe for Persian Tea Cookies with Aunt Pari Joon
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Connecting to our Culture through Food with special guest Cynthia Banafsheh Samanian | 01 Dec 2021 | 00:27:34 | |
Join Bita and Beata in today's culinary conversation about connecting to our culture with special guest Cynthia Banafsheh Samanian. Cynthia is an expert in experiential marketing, teaches cooking class business school, and runs a podcast. Cynthia is a great example of a woman who has built on her bi-cultural up-bringing to help others come together at the table, both literally and figuratively.
What is your mission with regards to experiential marketing with regards to your culture?
Is there a MPF podcast episode that you particularly connected with and why?
Favorite family foods - Cynthia's folks used to overnight the following Persian foods to her!
Persian foods Cynthia likes to cook:
What do you hope to pass down to your young kids with regards to Persian-French (husband is French American) food culture?
Ask the Beats Cynthia asks the Beats: If you could teach someone one thing, what dish would it be and why?
Contact us at hello@modernpersianfood.com or Instagram
Resources and recipes from this episode: Episode 31: Cultural Spotlight Caspian Regional Foods with Special Guest The Caspian Chef
Find Cynthia at: The Experiential Table Podcast | Food Marketing Podcast Hidden Rhythm: Teach Online Cooking Classes Culinary Marketing Coach (@hiddenrhythm) • Instagram photos and videos
Bita's recipe links: Salad Shirazi | Persian Cucumber and Tomato Salad How to Prepare Persian Rice in a Rice Cooker Tah-cheen Baked Persian Chicken and Rice Casserole
Beata's recipe links: Persian Salads: Maast-o-Khiar with Shallot and Salad Shirazi Katte Persian Rice with Tahdig
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Persian Thanksgiving Leftovers | 24 Nov 2021 | 00:13:46 | |
What are you going to do with all your Thanksgiving leftovers? Looking for inspiration? Seek no further - the Beats have 3 great ideas for fast and easy Persian recipes utilizing Thanksgiving feast leftovers; haleem, tahchin, and salad olivier!
Haleem
Tahchin
Salad Olivier
Note: Refer back to episode #59 for Persian Thanksgiving dish ideas and inspiration
Ask the Beats Jordan in Chicago wants to know, "what's the deal with chai nabat?"
Contact us at hello@modernpersianfood.com or Instagram
Resources and recipes from this episode: Episode #59 for Persian Thanksgiving Epsiode #30 for Tahchin
Bita's recipe links: Persian Crispy Rice Cups | Tahchin Bites Tah-cheen Baked Persian Chicken and Rice Casserole Salad Olivier | Persian Potato Salad
Beata's recipe link;
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
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| Persian Thanksgiving | 17 Nov 2021 | 00:17:03 | |
In Episode #59, co-hosts Beata and Bita share ideas and inspiration to bring Persian flavors to the Thanksgiving table. The duo covers some of their favorite side dishes and desserts to enjoy along with the traditional Thanksgiving day turkey, gravy and stuffing.
Rice
Side dishes
Table decor
Note: Refer back to episode 7: Fall Flavors for more great content and ideas around celebrating a Persian American Thanksgiving
Desserts
Ask the Beats Reza from Tehran wants to know, "how do you keep happy?"
Contact us at hello@modernpersianfood.com or Instagram
Resources and recipes from this episode:
Episode 58: Lubia Polo | Green Bean Rice Episode 57: Zereshk Polo | Barberry Rice
Beata's recipe links:
Bita's recipe links: Pomegranate Kale Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Top Kitchen Tools & Gadgets for Cooking Persian Food | 01 Jan 2025 | 00:24:56 | |
Today in episode 174, we'll explore the essential kitchen tools and gadgets needed to cook delicious Persian food – and the surprising part is, you may already have most of them! Persian cuisine is full of rich flavors, diverse textures, and comforting dishes. We want to encourage you to embrace cooking Persian food in the new year: Get ready to be the chef in your own kitchen and try making some classic Persian dishes or new modern twists!
Podcast episode is broken into 2 categories:
Why make Persian food?
Gather your tools, pick a recipe and get cooking!
Send us your pics and cooking experiences with us and we'll try to share it on our social pages.
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes
Sign up for the email newsletter here!
Check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.
Opening and closing music composed by Amir Etemadzadeh, www.amirschoolofmusic.com
Recipes referenced: Tips and tricks on how to make Persian style Salad Olivieh potato salad with eggs and chicken. Persian Style Saffron Braised Lamb Shank Maast-o Laboo – Persian Beets and Yogurt Kateh Persian Rice with Tahdig
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Lubia Polo | Green Bean Rice | 10 Nov 2021 | 00:17:00 | |
In Episode #58, co-hosts Bita and Beata talk about one of their all time favorite Persian dishes, Lubia Polo! Also spelled Loobia Polo. They uncover what it is, how to make it (both traditional methods and modern, fast and easy tips and tricks), pairings, and lastly the duo wraps up the episode with a touching Ask the Beats question and response. After listening to this episode, you will have the tools to make Lubia Polo tonight, or on a future special occasion!
What is in lubia polo?
How do you prepare it?
Occasions to make and enjoy lubia polo
Pairings
Ask the Beats
Contact us at hello@modernpersianfood.com or Instagram
Resources and recipes from this episode:
Episode 46: Persian Meal Planning
Bita's recipe links: Loobia Polo | Persian Green Bean Rice How to Prepare Persian Rice in a Rice Cooker Persian Yogurt and Cucumber Dip | Mast o Khiar
Beata's recipe links: Lubia Polo for the Persian New Year Sezdeh be Dar Picnic Katte Persian Rice with Tahdig Persian Salads: Maast-o-Khiar with Shallot and Salad Shirazi
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
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| Zereshk Polo | Barberry Rice | 03 Nov 2021 | 00:18:05 | |
In Episode #57, co-hosts Beata and Bita breakdown the iconic Persian dish called Zereshk Polo (Barberry rice), and walk through how to make it. They reference other recipes made with barberries, and offer subsitions and storage methods.
What is zereshk?
How is it used in Persian cuisine?
Preparing Zereshk Polo bah Morgh
Substitutions for zereshk
Note: Storing Zereshk - store in a cool place or in the refrigerator or freezer
Ask the Beats
Contact us at hello@modernpersianfood.com or Instagram
Resources and recipes from this episode:
Beata's recipe links: Persian Frittata Koo Koo Sabzi Giti Joon's Famous Tacheen Recipe
Bita's recipe links: Tah-Cheen | Baked Chicken and Rice Casserole Persian Crispy Rice Cups | Tahchin Bites
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Quince | Beh | 27 Oct 2021 | 00:15:58 | |
In Episode #56, co-hosts Bita and Beata un-cover quince is an exotic, unique ingredient used in Persian jams and stews. Quince is a fall and winter fruit. It looks like a pear-apple but a blown up version...bigger, harder than pears and apples, mostly used in a cooked version. The most interesting aspect is that it transforms from a pale color to a bright vibrant color. Has a strong aroma or fragrance.
Cooking technique to prepare Quince jam, moraba yeh beh
Beh in Persian cuisine
Ask the Beats
Contact us at hello@modernpersianfood.com or Instagram
Resources and recipes from this episode:
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Recipes: Persian Quince Jam – Morabah Beh Walnut and Pomegranate Stew – Khoreshteh Fessenjoon
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| Persian Nuts | 20 Oct 2021 | 00:16:29 | |
In Episode #55, co-hosts Beata and Bita explore the world of nuts in reference to Persian culture and cuisine. There are many varieties of nuts and seeds seen in Persian appetizers, baked goods, and dried fruit and nut mixes. They are enjoyed plain and simple as a snack and also used often to add color and texture to dishes as a sort of garnish or topping. Nuts are a super nutritious snack and both the Beats love using them in many dishes.
Persian pistachios, in Farsi known as "pesteh"
Walnuts (gerdoo in Farsi) and Almonds (badoom in Farsi)
Seeds
Ask the Beats
Contact us at hello@modernpersianfood.com or Instagram
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Squash | Kadoo | 13 Oct 2021 | 00:15:28 | |
In Episode #54, co-hosts Bita and Beata talk about squash, called "kadoo/kadu" in Farsi and its uses in Persian food and beyond.
Kadoo/kadu is the word in Farsi for squash. The most prevalent type of squash in Persian cuisine is probably zucchini. Zucchini is great because it can easily be substituted for eggplant which is in many Persian stews, dishes, and dips.
Some Persian dishes using kadoo | squash as an ingredient:
Modern uses of squash in Persian cooking and cuisine
Fun with pumpkins
Beats Cheats - shortcuts for cooking with squash
Ask the Beats Miriam from Sunnyvale asks "Do you have any easy, vegan, Mediterranean lunch ideas or recipes?" Yes, great for cooking meats, as well as for cooking Persian soups and stews. Also helpful as a time saving tool when batch cooking and meal prepping.
Contact us at hello@modernpersianfood.com or Instagram
Resources and recipes from this episode: All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Beata's recipe: Persian Frittata Koo Koo Sabzi Bita's recipe: Kookoo Sabzi | Quiche Muffins Bita's instructions for making table decor: Succulent Pumpkins Bita's recipe: Butternut Squash Soup Bita's recipe and instructions on Roasting Pumpkin Seeds Bita's recipe: Gluten-free Pumpkin bread Bita's recipe: Vegan Butternut Squash Dip
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| Pomegranates | Anar | 06 Oct 2021 | 00:15:32 | |
In Episode #53, co-hosts Beata and Bita talk about many facets of how pomegranates are an important part of Persian culture from unique dishes to literature and art. Tartly sweet and delicious, pomegranates are beautiful and delicious in many forms.
Fresh Pomegranates How to Deseed a pomegranate
Other forms of pomegranate used in Persian cuisine
Dishes using pomegranate molasses and/or paste
Modern takes on using Pomegranate
Ask the Beats Kat from Simple Good Foods asks, "I love my Instant Pot, do you have one and do you use it for Persian cooking?" Yes, great for cooking meats, as well as for cooking Persian soups and stews. Also helpful as a time saving tool when batch cooking and meal prepping.
Contact us at hello@modernpersianfood.com or Instagram
Resources and recipes from this episode: All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Video: How to De-Seed a Pomegranate Underwater
Recipes: Walnut and Pomegranate Stew – Khoreshteh Fessenjoon Khoresh Fesenjan | Persian Pomegranate Chicken Pomegranate Glazed Chicken Wings
Episodes referenced: Episode 16: Khoresh Fesenjoon | Persian Pomegranate and Walnut Stew Episode 31: Cultural Spotlight: Caspian Sea Regional Foods with Special Guest The Caspian Chef
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| The Sours in Persian Cuisine | 29 Sep 2021 | 00:15:16 | |
In Episode #52, co-hosts Beata and Bita explore the sour and acidic elements that elevate and balance Persian dishes.
List of sour and/or acidic ingredients in Persian cuisine include:
Dried limes, Limoo Omani in Farsi
Dishes the Beats prepare with lemon or lime juice
Dishes the Beats prepare with vinegar
Dishes the Beats prepare with ghoreh (tart, unripe grapes)
Dishes the Beats prepare with onions
Dishes the Beats prepare with yogurt (See also: Episode 5: Yogurt)
Dishes the Beats prepare with sour plums
Dishes the Beats prepare with Seville oranges
Ask the Beats This week's question comes from Farhad of Seattle: Beats, what is your go-to spice?
Contact us at hello@modernpersianfood.com or Instagram
Resources and recipes from this episode: All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Samin Nosrat, Salt Fat Acid Heat
Persian Vegetarian Eggplant Stew – Khoreshteh Bademjan Persian Salads: Maast-o-Khiar with Shallot and Salad Shirazi Khoreshteh Karafs Celery and Herb Beef Stew Lubia Polo for the Persian New Year Sezdeh be Dar Picnic
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Mehregan | 22 Sep 2021 | 00:12:24 | |
In Episode #51, co-hosts Beata and Bita share about an old Persian (and Zorastrian) holiday they did not grow up celebrating personally but are excited and interested in sharing about and starting to participate in.
Main tenets of Mehregan
Sofreh items for Mehregan
Traditions
Resources and recipes from this episode:
Cover image of Sofre Mehregan used with permission from the book Mehregan with my Grandmother by Anahita Tamaddon available at: https://www.amazon.com/Mehregan-My-Grandma-English-Persian/dp/B09DJ3L97S
Reference to illustrated copy of the Shahnameh by Hamid Rahmanian at: https://kingorama.com
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| The Golden Episode | 15 Sep 2021 | 00:16:46 | |
In Episode #50, co-hosts Beata and Bita share gratitude towards the new and growing community of Modern Persian Food supporters and listeners. They reflect on how far they've come, some of their favorite episodes to date, and what to expect if you're new to listening in terms of types of episodes, the components in a typical episode and what to expect in the future.
Background - the early days
Content - types of episodes
Top 3 episodes/most listened
Episodes include:
Co-hosts favorite episodes
Halva reference in Episode 29: Cultural Spotlight – Ramadan Foods
Contact us at hello@modernpersianfood.com or Instagram
Resources and recipes from this episode: All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
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| Persian Breads | 08 Sep 2021 | 00:16:34 | |
In Episode #49, co-hosts Bita and Beata chat about delicious, Persian breads. Persian breads come in several varieties. Most of them are considered to be flatbreads. The Beats have fun sharing which are their favorites as well as some memories of experiences with traditional bread bakeries in Iran as well as modern versions and substitutions available in the west.
Note: Noon and naan are the Farsi words for bread and can be used interchangeably.
There are many varieties of Persian breads. There are three or four varieties that are most common and familiar to Bita and Beata - lavash, barbari, sangak, and sheer mal. Although all are flatbreads (typically quite long), each has unique ingredients, properties, and methods of preparation.
Lavash
Barbari
Sangak
Sheer Mal
Substitutions for Persian bread:
Sweets and cookies that in Farsi contain the word Noon or nan (standing for flour based things)
Ask the Beats! Sam from San Francisco asks how one can make a lighter version of koo koo sabzi? Koo koo sabzi is traditionally deep fried in a lot of oil and contains several eggs.
Resources and recipes from this episode: All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Mast/Maast o Khiar recipe: Bita's recipe for Persian Cucumber Yogurt Dip | Mast o Khiar Beata's recipe for Persian Salads: Maast-o-Khiar with Shallot and Salad Shirazi
Tahdig: Bita's post on Persian Tahdig | Crispy Bottom of the Rice Pot Beata's post on Katte Persian Rice with Tahdig
Koo Koo Sabzi: Bita's recipe for Kookoo Sabzi | Quiche Muffins Beata's recipe for Persian Frittata Koo Koo Sabzi
Bita's recipe for Naan Berenji Persian Rice Flour Cookies Recipe Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Celebrating Yalda: A Persian Winter Solstice Tradition | 04 Dec 2024 | 00:24:17 | |
Join us for our annual Yalda Winter Solstice episode where we celebrate Shab Yalda, the longest and darkest night of the year! In this episode, we feature members of our community to honor Persian traditions of poetry, storytelling, music, and of course food!
Stay up late with your family and friends, drinking tea, and eating ajeel trail mix, pomegranate soup, and watermelon! Send us your pics and video clips to be featured on our social media pages.
Links referenced in the episode:
Modern Persian Food Podcast's previous Yalda episodes: Episode 161: Yalda 2023; Creating Identity through Traditions New and Old Episode 114: Yalda Winter Solstice Episode 10: Yalda Winter Flavors
Omid Roustaei, Chef and Author:
Anahita Tamaddon, author:
Amir Etemadzadeh, musical composer and instructor:
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes
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Opening and closing music composed by Amir Etemadzadeh, www.amirschoolofmusic.com
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio | |||
| Figs | 01 Sep 2021 | 00:11:49 | |
In Episode #48, co-hosts Bita and Beata explore figs in Persian food culture. Figs are enjoyed in fresh, dried, and cooked form. Both Beats love fresh figs best however appreciate them in all forms.
Fresh figs
Dried figs
Cooked figs - Jams
Ask the Beats! Katie in San Francisco asks, "What is your go-to meal when you have a last minute guest?"
Resources and recipes from this episode: All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Beata's recipe for Persian Fig Jam – Morabah Anjeer Beata's recipe for Khormah Maloos | Persian Dates and Eggs Beata's recipe for: Persian Salads: Maast-o-Khiar with Shallot and Salad Shirazi
Bita's recipe for Mediterranean Mezze Board (cheese platter) Bita's recipe for Ajeel | Persian Trail Mix Bita's recipe for Fig Oatmeal Cookies Bita's recipe for Lentil and Date Rice | Adas Polo Bita's recipe for Persian Cucumber Yogurt Dip | Mast o Khiar
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| Cultural Spotlight Iranian Jewish Food with Tannaz Sassooni | 25 Aug 2021 | 00:17:03 | |
In Episode #47, co-hosts Bita and Beata learn about Iranian Jewish food and some of the traditional foods and customs shared on Rosh Hashanah by special guest, Tannaz Sassooni. Tannaz works in animation technology by day while writing, teaching, and sharing about Iranian Jewish foods as her passion project.
An example of a classic Friday night Jewish Iranian meal might consist of "Chelo Abgoosht eh Ghondi" (also spelled gondi) - a chicken broth based soup with poultry and chickpea flour meatball dumplings.
Another example of a one pot Jewish Iranian recipe is "Ghondi/Gondi Kashi" - rice dish cooked with ground meat, herbs, beets, and fava beans - takes on a pinkish hue in some areas and sometimes forms a beautiful tahdig!
Rosh Hashanah traditions - as contrasting to simple apples and honey, in the Iranian Jewish custom, a whole seder is served for Rosh Hashana
Two main holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
A tip, also known as "Beats Cheats" - Tannaz's favorite thing:
Ask the Beats! Tannaz asks the Beats - what are some regional specialties in the areas your families are from Bita and Beata?
Resources and recipes from this episode: All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Beata's Khormah Maloos Recipe: Khormah Maloos | Persian Dates and Eggs
Special guest: Tannaz Sassooni
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| Persian Meal Planning | 18 Aug 2021 | 00:18:26 | |
In Episode #46, co-hosts Bita and Beata provide strategies and tips to help with meal planning and prepping in anticipation of cooking during busy weeknights. Fall means back to school for many, back to work for some, and back to routines and getting more organized for most. Traditionally, cooking Persian food is a time and labor-intensive process taking hours and sometimes days. With today's modern life-styles, we need to be able to put a well-balanced, healthy meal on the table in an hour or less.
Planning tools
Batch cooking - cooking a larger portion of a food category with the intent to use it in multiples ways and meals, spanning across a few days and up to a week
Batch cooking around a well-balanced meal
Batch cooking with Persian recipes in mind
Ask the Beats! The Beats ask each other, what is your biggest challenge around cooking Persian food on a busy week night?
Beats Cheats! What are some additional shortcuts for putting together a Persian meal on a busy night?
Resources and recipes from this episode:
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: https://modernpersianfood.com/episodes/ Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: https://beatseats.com Co-host Bita Arabian blog: https://ovenhug.com
Link to episode with "Ask the Beats" about meal planning. Episode 33: Persian Cucumbers Link to Episode 30: Tahchin
Persian Meal Planning Tips blog post How to Make Boiled Eggs in an Instant Pot Video for Roasting Whole Eggplant
Bita's recipe for Koo Koo Sabzi Beata's recipe for Persian Frittata Koo Koo Sabzi
Bita's recipe for Salad Olivier
Bita's recipe for Tah Cheen Bita's recipe for Tahchin Bites Beata's recipe for Persian Jeweled Tahchin
Podcast Production by Alvarez Audio | |||