Chelow Kabob Anyone?

Chelow Kabob is without a doubt one of the most delicious foods to have ever been created. It typically consists of chicken, beef or lamb pieces that have been marinated, skewered and grilled over an open fire. It is one of the most popular Persian dishes and is usually served with grilled tomatos, raw onion, fresh herbs and chelow (steamed rice).

Kabob Bargh

Ingredients:
1 lb of skirt steak-cut into 2 or 3 inch pieces
1 cup yogurt
2 limes-juiced
1 large onion-cut into large chunks/wedges
1 T dried mint
Salt and Pepper

Directions
1. In food processor, process onion pieces, mint and lime juice until mushy.
2. Add 1 tablespoon salt and pepper and pour into tupperware or plastic bag.
3. Add yogurt and stir (or smoosh) till combined.
4. Put meat pieces into container and let marinate for as long as 24 hours or as little as 1/2 hour.
5. Light grill!
6. Thread meat pieces onto SOAKED bamboo skewers (or real persian kabob skewers).
7. Grill meat until brown and delicious.

Serve with rice (chelow) and enjoy!!

I served my Chelow Kabob with skewered/grilled onions and red bell peppers.

Baghali Polo va Morgh aka Lima Bean Rice with Chicken

Baghali Polo is my all time favorite Persian rice dish. It's not all that hard to make and is as comforting as chicken soup.
This dish is traditionally made by cooking the rice and chicken separately (it's how I usually make it as well). One night, I was feeling rather rebellious and decided to change things up a bit. The following is the outcome of my rebelliousness.

Serves 2

Ingredients:
1 cup of rice (long grain NOT converted or instant)
3 cups of water
1/2 box baby lima beans
1/2 cup dried or 1 cup chopped fresh dill
1 med. onion, sliced into half moons
2 T. olive oil
2 bone-in skin off chicken breasts
salt/pepper to taste

Directions:
1. In large skillet saute onion in olive oil till soft.

2. Add chicken and cook till golden brown on 1 side. Remove chicken to a plate and cover with foil.

3. Add water, rice, lima beans, dill, salt and pepper to onion in skillet and stir well.

4. Bring to simmer and put chicken on top of rice mixture.

5. Lower heat to med. low and cover.

6. Let simmer for 45min. or till rice and chicken are cooked.

7. Serve with plain yogurt and Enjoy!!

Persian Raisin Cookies

Raisin cookies (Noon Keeshmeeshy) are traditionally made for the Persian New Year (first day of spring), although they can be enjoyed any time. They are incredibly easy to make and even easier to eat :)

Please note that this is NOT my recipe. It came from New Food of Life by Najmieh Batmanglij .

Makes about 90 cookies

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 8-10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temp (VERY IMPORTANT)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups sugar

4 eggs

2 cups raisins (you could also use dried cranberries)
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Put wax or parchment paper on a cookie sheet.

3. Mix softened butter, vanilla, and sugar in a large mixing bowl.

4. Add eggs one at a time.

5 Fold in flour till a soft dough forms.

6. Drop teaspoonfuls of batter on the wax paper, leaving about 2-3 inches between each cookie.
7. Place 3 or 4 raisins onto each cookie (you can also add the raisins to the batter and mix well).
8. Place the cookie sheet in the center of the oven and bake about 10 to 15 minutes, or until slightly golden. (My oven is super hot so it takes about 8-10 min.)
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool.

Enjoy!!