We’re starting our day with a fresh and bountiful Persian spread including fruits, jams, breads, eggs, and much more! Either for breakfast or brunch, with a crowd or by yourself, we chat about our favorite Persian morning offerings and some of our modern additions to make it a memorable meal.    Beata loves big displays of eggs adorned with spinach or dates. In contrast, Bita loves diving into a colorful bowl of creamy oats topped with Persian-inspired fruits and nuts such as pomegranate...

Join us as we dive into spring herbs and how we incorporate them into some of our favorite Persian dishes and occasions. From a simple platter of Sabzi Khordan to a rich and elaborate stew of braised herbs in the iconic Ghormeh Sabzi, we discuss our favorite ways to eat these versatile greens.   In the show's second half, we reflect on Nowruz, the Taste Awards in LA, and some of our food adventures of the last month. Be sure to listen to our plans for our next episode as we prepare for...

Join us as we get ready to celebrate the Persian New Year, Nowruz (or also spelled Norooz, Nowrooz, Norouz, Noroz) which occurs on the moment of the Spring Equinox. Persians around the world celebrate by gathering around a Sofreh Haft Seen, the symbolic display of the “Seven S’s” that sets the intentions of the new year.    In the second half of the episode, Beata and Bita are joined by special guest Fariba Nafissi from ZoZo Baking and the trio chat about what Nowruz means to them and...

Vote for the Modern Persian Food Podcast in the 2024 Taste Awards! We are finalists in the “Best Lifestyle Podcast” and the “Best Food or Drink Podcast” categories.    Vote for us here: Taste Awards Voting Link before Saturday, February 17th, 2024 You can answer as few as 4 questions (#1, #2, #4, and #6)   It would be an honor to be recognized for the work we have put behind the Modern Persian Food podcast, and the Persian Food community as a whole.    Today we are sharing the episode...

Unlock the secrets of a family legacy that intertwines the ancient allure of Persian culture with the timeless art of winemaking, as Moe and Naseem Momtazi from Maysara Winery share their story. Their biodynamic vineyard in Oregon is a testament to their Persian roots and a celebration of the sun's nourishment and the sacred role of wine in pre-Islamic Persia.    Join us as we explore three distinctly different Pinot Noirs and discuss the art of pairing with foods and ingredients to amply...

Welcome to the first episode of 2024, where we're embracing a fresh start with a healthy twist on Persian cuisine. Listen in as we, Bita and Bita, share our New Year's resolutions, including being more present with our loved ones and pursuing exciting professional opportunities. We're also thrilled about our new monthly podcast format, which allows us to create even richer content for our listeners. If you have a passion for Persian culture, join us on this journey—we're on the lookout for an...

Join us for an extraordinary journey into the heart of Persian culture as we celebrate Yalda, the longest and darkest night of the year. Listen in as we, your hosts Bita and Beata, explore the traditions of this beloved holiday. From staying up late, enjoying music and poetry, to indulging in delectable food, we bring you an intimate look into how Yalda Night is celebrated, also called Shabeh Yalda. Be prepared for personal stories, the discovery of old pre-revolution records, and enchanting...

Join us for a colorful culinary journey in our 160th episode of Modern Persian Food where we promise to inspire your Thanksgiving preparations with a dash of exotic Persian flair. Revel in the vibrant flavors of seasonal fruits like persimmons, pomegranates, and quince, as we share unique recipes and creative twists on traditional dishes. It's not just about the food, it's about the celebration of togetherness, gratitude, and the joy of the holiday season.    Moving on from the table, we...

Transform your everyday dishes into an exotic Persian feast just by using herbs! We're taking a deep dive into the wonderful world of herbs in Persian cooking with Ginain Greyes from Cook the Garden podcast. Ginain, a pro at growing her own herbs, shares practical tips on nurturing herbs like mint, cilantro, basil, dill, and more, even if you only have a small patio space. She shared her experience cooking the iconic Persian soup called Ash Reshteh, which is a delightful blend of noodles,...

Welcome to another engaging episode of Modern Persian Food, where we immerse ourselves in the art of Persian pickling! Join your hosts Bita and Beata, as we journey through the world of preserving through pickling, highlighting its crucial role in adding a zesty, acidic balance to the rich flavors of Persian cuisine. Discover the secrets of making Torsche pickles at home with tips on choosing the right ingredients and creating the perfect pickling brine to amplify the flavors of your...

Join us for an enticing journey into the art of preserving food, Persian style! This episode is all about the delightful world of jams, and we don't just stick to the fruity ones. We'll explore the vibrant colors, aromatic flavors, and natural pectin of various fruits that make Persian jams truly special. Learn with us how to create some traditional favorites, like rose petal, quince, fig, and sour cherry jams. You'll even discover an unusual but tasty carrot jam recipe straight from a...

Get ready for an enriching journey as we take you through the significance and celebration of the ancient Persian festival, Mehregan. Listen in as we discuss how this autumnal harvest celebration is all about embracing love, kindness, friendship, and nature. We share our plans on commemorating this timeless tradition, from partnering with an Orange County organization for a live event to creating a Sofreh - a traditional Persian table setting. We explore how these ancient festivals,...

Listen in as we journey through the world of Persian cuisine in our latest podcast episode. We start with an exploration of the delicious and iconic eggplant dish, Mirza Ghassami, from the northern region of Iran known as Shomal. We discuss its distinct smoky flavor, thanks to charred eggplant, and the ample use of garlic. Discover the versatility of this dish, as we share ways to make it vegan or vegetarian, and how to add it to your weekly meal plans or brunch spread.   In the second half...

Welcome to a memorable conversation with the dynamic Jian Ghomeshi, a Roqe Media podcast host with a deep love for food, particularly Persian cuisine. His journey, from being intimidated by Persian cooking to mastering the art of creating the iconic dish, Ghormeh Sabzi, is not just inspiring but also filled with interesting culinary nuggets. In this chat, we touch upon the formidable influence of Iranian mothers in the kitchen, the importance of supporting the people of Iran, and Jian's...

Today as part of our Fall Back to Basics series, we're discussing one of the most fundamental recipes in Persian cuisine, Basmati rice. We're sharing our go-to methods for getting rice on the table quickly and easily for weeknight meals. We cover what type of rice to use, the importance of washing it multiple times to remove starches or arsenic and the benefits of soaking it before cooking. Tune in to get our best tips for preparing perfect Persian rice and don't forget to check out our other...

Welcome to another exciting segment of Modern Persian Food! Listen in as we go 'Back to Basics' and explore the world of Persian Pantry Essentials. Join us as we take a playful and engaging twist on the essentials you need to cook Persian food right at home. Our fun-filled guessing game will surely test your knowledge on Persian spices like saffron, cinnamon, sumac, turmeric, and cardamom. But don't worry, we're here to guide you through it all. We'll also touch on how different households...

Listen in as we embark on a culinary journey with Saghar Setareh, author of “Pomegranates and Artichokes, Recipes and Memories of a Journey from Iran to Italy”. Saghar shares her personal discovery of Italian cuisine and how it led to a renewed interest in her own Iranian roots. With Saghar, we explore the unexpected similarities between these two cuisines, delving into the historical basis of some of these parallels. We also challenge the concept of authenticity, uncovering that some recipes...

Join us for a rich discussion with authors of Maman and Me: Recipes from our Iranian-American Family, Roya Shariat and Gita Sadeh. In this conversation, we explore the inspiration behind their book, celebrating the hybrid culture of Iranian-Americans and the innovative ways immigrants adapt their traditional recipes with available ingredients. Gita and Roya share their experiences of cooking as a form of love and respect for family and guests, and the challenges of sourcing Persian...

Listen in as we engage in an inspiring conversation with Nasim Alikhani, a celebrated author, entrepreneur, and chef. From helping cook for large groups as a young girl in Iran to creating menus for the Met Gala and the White House, Nasim's journey is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode, we unpack her path, her passion for Persian food, and the way she has managed to pursue her dreams and establish her own roots.   We explore Nasim's new cookbook, ‘Sofreh, A Contemporary Approach...

Join us for a compelling conversation with author Homa Dashtaki, who takes us on a journey through her nine-year process of writing her book, Yogurt & Whey: Recipes of an Iranian Immigrant Life. The dialogue is rich with insights about food as a language and a tool to make sense of our identities and our place in this world. We are mesmerized by her tale of using her culinary heritage to navigate her Iranian history and to find her sense of belonging in America.    In this episode, we...

Join us for a captivating discussion with Tabay Atkins, a prodigy and certified vegan chef. With an inspiring journey that started with yoga and transitioned to veganism, Tabay shares how these choices have shaped his life. Listen in as he talks about his mother's battle with cancer and how yoga played a crucial role in her recovery, inspiring him to become the world's youngest yoga instructor at age seven. He also shares his experiences as a plant-based nutritionist, a Reiki instructor, and...

Join us as we explore the wonderful world of Persian fast food with Mandana and Patrick Lanteigne, the dynamic duo behind Zood, a modern California-style Persian fast food spot in Orange County. Listen as we discuss their creative venture, the mouthwatering food they serve, and how they're making Persian flavors accessible to many. We also chat about the unique aspects of Persian hospitality and how they're recreating that same experience through their business. They share with us the...

Join us on our second stop in the summer podcast series featuring Persian food trucks, stands, and fast foods as we welcome Joon Rice from the Queens Night Market in New York. Listen in as Jessica and Amir share their creative approach to serving Persian food in a way that is both accessible and appealing to a wider audience. They've crafted a unique dining experience by offering individual sized Tahdig cups and a variety of stews, making Persian cuisine enjoyable for everyone. From the...

Join us on this exciting journey as we kick off our new series that shines a spotlight on Persian food trucks and fast food companies. Our first pit stop is at Tahdig Tacos, a woman-owned business bringing a fusion of Persian and Mexican flavors to Southern California. Listen in as Bayan Ghahramani, the passionate entrepreneur behind this culinary phenomenon, shares her personal journey of identity and culture. Discover how her Persian heritage and Mexican influences inspired the creation of...