Pinch My SaffronPinch My Saffronhttp://pinchmysaffron.com/home/2009-12-30T23:23:35ZSquarespacePomegranate Soup (A'ash-e Anar)http://pinchmysaffron.com/home/2009/12/4/pomegranate-soup-aash-e-anar.htmlYasamin Beitollahi2009-12-05T02:34:47Z2009-12-05T02:34:47Z

With winter fast approaching, what is a better cold day meal than a bowl of hearty, pomegranate soup? As beautiful as they are delicious, pomegranates are in season from October through January. Serving as a sign of fertility and rebirth, this highly celebrated fruit's skin and bark served medicinal purposes throughout history, although only the seeds are truly edible.

 

Today the power of this super food is just as strong--rich in antioxidants, vitamins, a good source of iron, and proven to lower bad cholesterol.

 

This soup has wonderful flavors that become even more intense and satisfying as the soup cooks. Hearty, healthy, tangy goodness!

]]>Winter Holiday Dinner Menuhttp://pinchmysaffron.com/home/2009/12/1/winter-holiday-dinner-menu.htmlYasamin Beitollahi2009-12-02T00:02:29Z2009-12-02T00:02:29Z

Never wrapped a slice of persimmon in prosciutto, let alone roasted a 12-pound turkey? You're not alone. Which is why we're getting an early start on another Persian & Mediterranean-inspired holiday feast, for all you novice holiday dinner cooks. And, as always, we're keeping it simple and delicious!

This year Pinch My Saffron is preparing for a Winter Wonderland holiday dinner party with this menu: a juicy Roasted Chicken with Herb Butter, Baghali Polo or Saffron Rice with Lima Beans and Dill, Brioche Herb Stuffing with Dried Sour Cherries, Roasted Herb-Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans with Tarragon Butter, and a Persimmon-Glazed Goat Cheese Cheesecake that will blow your socks off. <--- Blogposts and recipes will be up soon. . . yummmaaaay!

 

]]>18 Things I'm Thankful For This Thanksgivinghttp://pinchmysaffron.com/home/2009/11/24/18-things-im-thankful-for-this-thanksgiving.htmlYasamin Beitollahi2009-11-25T04:22:26Z2009-11-25T04:22:26ZWhat's there not to be thankful for? Barack Obama leads this incredibly powerful country, the Los Angeles Lakers continue to dominate the NBA, and Starbucks' Peppermint Mochas are back on the menu.

Thanksgiving is a holiday nominally devoted to counting one’s blessings. This year, Pinch My Saffron is particularly thankful for the tremendous support from everyone that has been reading the blog as a reference to quick, easy, and delicious Persian & Mediterranean recipes. Thank you all!

]]>A Romantic Thanksgiving Dinner: Honey-Saffron Glazed Turkeyhttp://pinchmysaffron.com/home/2009/11/15/a-romantic-thanksgiving-dinner-honey-saffron-glazed-turkey.htmlYasamin Beitollahi2009-11-15T23:03:24Z2009-11-15T23:03:24ZHoney-Saffron Glazed Turkey

It's time to indulge in mouth watering turkey roasts, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin cupcakes! Thanksgiving's just around the corner, which means many of us will try our hand at cooking a turkey in hopes we don't dry it out. My mother passed this recipe on to me and while it changes just a little every year, because we've never written it down before - until now - it always yields a juicy, flavorful turkey. Avoid the dry bird blues and prepare yourself for a whole new turkey taste! Our exciting blend of exotic spices turns an ordinary roast into an extraordinary meal.

]]>A Romantic Thanksgiving Dinner: Saffron Rice with Candied Barberries, Slivered Almonds & Pistachioshttp://pinchmysaffron.com/home/2009/11/15/a-romantic-thanksgiving-dinner-saffron-rice-with-candied-bar.htmlYasamin Beitollahi2009-11-15T22:58:57Z2009-11-15T22:58:57ZIt wouldn’t be Thanksgiving in our home without my family’s favorite rice dish. Zereshk Polo or Saffron Rice with Candied Barberries, Slivered Almonds & Pistachios is a dish for all seasons and one my favorites to cook when entertaining. Although, this traditional dish is served with roasted chicken, it also pairs excellently with turkey.

Did you know that Iran is the largest producer of Zereshk or dried barberries? Barberries or the fruit from Berberis shrubs are generally red, but vary from coral to deep crimson, and they are tangy, tangy, tangy. In this dish their tart flavor is subdued by sautéing them in sugar, butter, and saffron.

You’ll love the bursts of sweet and tangy flavors in your mouth with the creamy rice grains, and the crunchy toasted almonds and pistachios – love at first bite!

Zereshk Polo: Saffron Rice with Candied Barberries, Slivered Almonds & Pistachios

]]>A Romantic Thanksgiving Dinner: Caramelized Onion & Pomegranate Cornbread Stuffinghttp://pinchmysaffron.com/home/2009/11/15/a-romantic-thanksgiving-dinner-caramelized-onion-pomegranate.htmlYasamin Beitollahi2009-11-15T22:56:31Z2009-11-15T22:56:31ZFall brings a change in weather and it also brings a change in our baking. Gone are the days of eating slices of juicy watermelon or a bowl of sweet cherries. The fruits that were available during the long hot summer months have disappeared and in their place we have pears, plums, pumpkins, pomegranate, persimmons, and cranberries.  

In the meantime I offer you a shot of nostalgia with this simple, savory stuffing, perfect for those upcoming holiday dinners!

Caramelized Onion & Pomegranate Cornbread Stuffing

]]>A Romantic Thanksgiving Dinner: Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans & Marshmallow Blisshttp://pinchmysaffron.com/home/2009/11/15/a-romantic-thanksgiving-dinner-stuffed-sweet-potatoes-with-p.htmlYasamin Beitollahi2009-11-15T22:55:03Z2009-11-15T22:55:03ZSweet potato pie just got sweeter with the addition of a buttery, cinnamon streusel, nutty topping! Just about everyone has a favorite sweet potato recipe for Thanksgiving Dinner. One of mine has to be Tyler Florence's Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Pecan and Marshmallow Streusel. These miniature sweet potato "pies" are simple, sinful-tasting, and can be prepared ahead of time and reheated before serving. They're sure to delight your guests and will make a great addition to your Turkey Day repetoire!

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans & Marshmallow Bliss

]]>A Romantic Thanksgiving Dinner: String Beans with Shallots & Toasted Almondshttp://pinchmysaffron.com/home/2009/11/15/a-romantic-thanksgiving-dinner-string-beans-with-shallots-to.htmlYasamin Beitollahi2009-11-15T22:53:51Z2009-11-15T22:53:51ZString Beans with Shallots & Toasted Almonds]]>A Romantic Thanksgiving Dinner: Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frostinghttp://pinchmysaffron.com/home/2009/11/15/a-romantic-thanksgiving-dinner-spiced-pumpkin-cupcakes-with.htmlYasamin Beitollahi2009-11-15T22:13:48Z2009-11-15T22:13:48ZLife is uncertain. Eat dessert first. ~Ernestine Ulmer

Dessert has always been one of the most anticipated courses of Thanksgiving dinner. Delicious cakes, tarts, and pies lie at the end of the table just waiting to be tasted!

Thanksgiving desserts can be traditional, gourmet, innovative or kid-friendly. This year I decided to incorporate all four components in our Thanksgiving dessert. The only constant is that there be pumpkin in the recipe. Whether it is pumpkin pie, pumpkin truffles or pumpkin cheesecake—we’re happy!

Sometimes you feel like a nut...

Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

 Sometimes you don't...

Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

]]>Filet Mignon Kabob with Grilled Heirloom Tomatoeshttp://pinchmysaffron.com/home/2009/11/4/filet-mignon-kabob-with-grilled-heirloom-tomatoes.htmlYasamin Beitollahi2009-11-05T06:28:57Z2009-11-05T06:28:57ZWhile it's easy to get lost in the meaty clouds of happiness, you need to focus here. The most primitive style of cooking--meat roasted over an open flame--can't be beat. You can pan-sear and broil all you want, but nothing compares to a grilled steak. The combination of a smoky, caramelized crust and a tender, juicy interior is what grilling beef is all about. From flame-kissed steaks and smoked chicken to shish kabobs and satays, grilling adds flavor and flair to virtually any meat.

If you’ve met my father, you know he has that certain “I know how to make rockin’ kabobs" look about him. While this isn’t exactly rare for Middle Eastern men, my father makes the tastiest Kabob Barg or Filet Mignon Kabob to hit my taste buds.

Filet Mignon Kabob with Grilled Heirloom Tomatoes

]]>