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Alright, let’s talk about them… what do you call ’em? Persian appetizers, yeah, that’s it. Fancy name for snacks if you ask me. But they say it’s the start of a good meal, so let’s see what they got.
What are these Persian snacks, anyway?
They call ’em “mokhalafat,” sounds like something the doctor would give you, but it’s just food. Little plates of this and that, you know? Not just to fill your belly, but to get people talking. Like, “Oh, this tastes interesting,” or “My grandma used to make somethin’ like this.” You get the picture.
Now, I ain’t no fancy cook, but I heard tell of some of these snacks. There’s this “sabzi khordan,” sounds like a sneeze, but it’s just a bunch of herbs and stuff. Like the greens you pick from the garden, but maybe a bit fancier. And then there’s chicken wings. Yeah, even those fancy folks eat chicken wings. Who knew?
Learn to Cook ‘Em, They Say
There’s these two gals, Bita and Beata, they’re teachin’ folks how to make these snacks. From old-timey stuff to newfangled things. They say you gotta learn how to cook eggplant, which, let me tell you, is a pain in the neck. And they make yogurt dips. Yogurt? For dipping? Well, I guess if it tastes good, it tastes good.
- Eggplant this, eggplant that: Seems like eggplant is a big deal in this Persian cooking. I ain’t a fan, but if they say it’s good, maybe I’ll try it… maybe.
- Yogurt dips: I still can’t wrap my head around this. But hey, maybe it’s better than that store-bought ranch dressing.
Middle East Eats, Shared Plates
Turns out, these little plates ain’t just Persian. They call ’em “mezze” in other parts of the Middle East. Same idea though. Little snacks, dips, spreads… all laid out for everyone to share. Good for a party, I guess. Less work for the hostess, everyone just grabs what they want.
And they put all sorts of things on this mezze platter. Snacks, dips, whatever they got. It’s like a buffet, but smaller, fancier. And they say it’s good for entertainin’. Well, I guess if you got company, you gotta feed ’em somethin’.
Hearty Soups and Stews
Now, if you want somethin’ more substantial, there’s this “abgoosht” thing. Sounds like a sneeze again, but it’s a stew. Meat and chickpeas and whatnot. They also call it “dizi,” which is the pot they cook it in. Sounds heavy, but on a cold day, I bet it warms you right up.
The Basics, the Everyday Grub
But let’s not get too fancy. Most days, folks just eat rice, herbs, cheese, bread, and some kind of meat. Chicken, beef, lamb, fish… whatever they got. And a lot of times, they put stew over rice. That’s the real everyday food, not all these fancy snacks and platters. Just good, plain food to fill your belly.
So, what have we learned?
Well, these Persian appetizer things, they’re a big deal. They get people talkin’, they start the meal off right. But they ain’t the only thing folks eat. There’s stews and everyday grub too. And whether you’re eatin’ fancy snacks or a simple bowl of stew, it’s all about sharing and enjoyin’ good food with good company. That’s what I always say, anyway.
And if you’re gonna try makin’ this stuff, don’t be scared. It’s just food. Even if you mess it up, it’ll probably still taste alright. And if it doesn’t? Well, there’s always takeout.
One last thing, remember to keep it simple. You don’t need a fancy kitchen or a bunch of fancy ingredients. Just good, fresh food and a little bit of love. That’s all you need.
Tags: [Persian Food, Appetizers, Persian Cuisine, Middle Eastern Food, Mezze, Abgoosht, Dizi, Persian Cooking, Food Culture]
