Hey hey, it’s Wednesday! Busy busy is the name of the game this week (and apparently I like to repeat words).
It’s time for Jenn’s What I Ate Wednesday food party, so let’s get it started!
I’m pretty lucky to have such a diverse group of friends. Especially when those friends like to share their culinary specialties. My friend Mojan and her hubby Ali had us over on Saturday night for a Persian feast.
We started the evening with some apps including figs, olives, cheese, grapes, and almonds, and of course some vino (Gloria Ferrer Carneros Pinot Noir – yum!).
Mojan even had some Persian candies laid out:
These were just tasty fruit leather-like things. I should have stuffed some in my purse for later – hehe 
While we were waiting for some elements to finish cooking (the rice), Mojan had an “interesting” way of preparing us for the meal we were about to embark on. See her food descriptions below. Needless to say, I think she was trying to set our expectations pretty low.
On the left is a yogurt drink that Mojan described as salty and thick and said that no white people have ever liked. We were so excited to try it after hearing that [insert sarcasm]. But we did indeed try it and it wasn’t bad – it reminded me of liquefied cheese curds. It was a bit too salty for a beverage, but I’m definitely glad I tasted it.
On the right is Baghali Polo Ba Morgh (the rice part of it anyway – you can see the chicken part on my plate below). This rice blew my mind! So tasty! It’s cooked in a Persian rice cooker (allows bottom to get crispy) and is peppered with lima beans and dried dill as well as salt. The crunchy parts were my fave 
Kashk-E Bademjan – eggplant spread made with a fermented whey product that Mojan described as the discarded water part of Greek yogurt that turns to stone…sounds yummy, huh? This was served room temperature with Lavash bread and I loved the easy smooth flavors. It would make a good dip!
Kookoo Sabzi – Mojan described this as a chilled quiche type dish with mixed vegetables that she didn’t know that were And while I sort of hate eggs, I sort of loved this dish! It didn’t taste eggy at all, but did have the consistency of quiche. The mixed veggies were actually more like a pureed herb blend.
Mixed salad – Mediterranean / Persian in flavors
Above is my plate –> now just multiply it by 2.5
Mojan even bought Persian ice cream that is made with heavy whipping cream, rose water, and saffron. It’s very sweet and dense, but I quite liked it. Especially the scoop with pistachios in it. Yum!
Have you ever had Persian food?
Do you like to try new foods in general?
That all looks delicious! Bravo Mojan and Ali! I don’t think I’ve tried Persian food before, but I definitely like trying new things. Sounds like I should put that on my list of to-dos.
The did such a good job! I love trying new foods
next time you are around I can have all 4 of you over
I like this idea!
You are so lucky to be able to try Persian food! It all looks great. I’d love the ice cream w/ pistachios..mm
I’m lucky to have talented friends!
I love trying new foods. I’ve never had Persian food, but it looks amazing and now I really want to try it.
If you get the chance, def try it!
Very interesting WIAW – definitely learned something! Thanks for sharing
Glad you learned something
I’ve never had Persian food before. I don’t even thing I knew what it was. I’m glad I was able to see what some of the dishes are. I would love to try them. I like trying new cuisines. I really want to try Indian food
Indian food is one of my faves =)
When going out to eat, anything ethnic is my first choice because it’s something I can’t make at home and have it taste as good! However, i don’t think I’ve ever had Persian! It looks delicious! I love anything that is mushy and requires yummy bread to scoop up (i.e. mediterranean or indian).
I’m with you Mila, I like to order things I can’t make at home
Yum! I love Persian food- and how they use so much eggplant/pomegranate flavours in their cooking; but I especially love the kabobs/koobideh- the best
Yes, tons of eggplant and also tomatoes too I think
I love seeing your diversity in foods! You have fun friends
I do have fun friends
You are so lucky to have friends that can introduce you to such unusual (for most Americans, anyway) foods and traditions! The most I can really offer my friends are Swedish meatballs.
I don’t think i’ve ever had a Swedish meatball…can you make them with turkey meat?
Hi! Its my first time commenting here! I’ve never tried persian food EVER but by the looks of these… I think I’m going to have to get my hands on some soon! Thanks for sharing!
I hope you can give a try sometime — totally worth it. Really different flavor profiles than other ethnic foods.
I have had Persian food a handful of times years and honestly cannot remember it! What a shame because your meal looks so delicious! What wonderful friends you have… that was so sweet of them to do
I am wondering where I can get my hands on a Persian rice cooker! That rice looks DIVE… it is truly an art to get perfectly crispy bottom rice like that in a regular rice cooker… but it IS the best part
Hi Sarah — Mojan tells me you have to get this brand of rice cooker: Pars Khazar. Hopefully you can Google it and order it
The rice was AWESOME! Loved the crunchy parts best.
Awesome thanks! Just Googled it… looks AMAZING.
I’ve never tried Persian food, but it would be so awesome to have friends who could make an authentic Persian meal! I’m always up for trying new cuisines!
I bet you would love it Lauren!
This post made me drool. My boyfriend in high school was Persian and I ate at his parents house three nights a week for a long time. SO GOOD!
Persian weekly? Lucky!
I like to try new foods occasionally but I def like my normals too. I guess the combination. If I had never tried Greek food, I would have never become obsessed with it. I just can’t get enough lolz.
When normal food is pancakes I would eat that a lot too!
Oooo that looks awesome! I’ve never tried Persian food but would love too! And I love trying new food too, it’s always neat to experience different ethnic foods and flavors
Ooo we still need to go to All Spice in San Mateo Shayla! Let’s plan a dinner date!
Omg yes let’s plan one stat! I’d especially love to go with you since you’ll know what yummy foods to order since I think I’d be a deer in headlights ordering off that menu, lol!
I’ve never had Persian food, but I love trying food from different countries.
Me too, especially those that have an emphasis on veggie foods..then I’m braver
I am ALL about trying new foods! This meal looks marvelous! yum!
Twas marvelous
Wow you had REAL Persian food! I really love all Meditteranean food in general, but you got a real feast! I think its awesome that you were open to trying new food like that.
This had such a different flair from Med food — I like both!
I haven’t had Persian food, but I’m sure I’d love it. I’ll eat (and usually enjoy) anything.
Thats the attitude Tiff!
Mojan and Ali are very gracious hosts and great friends. We usually have pizza and beer when we visit.
I am sorry Tom, I will cook you Persian food next time
:):)
We put in a special request
It all sounded so good when Mojan showed me your post, I had to go out and find Persian food for lunch. VERY yummy!
Glad you got your fix
never had it but i think i’d dig some of those a lot! i have a really big savory tooth. i really wanted to taste that ice cream. rose water is so bright in drinks and i love pistachios!
Wow…this all sounds delicious!!!! So interesting too…never had this kind of food!
Yay! My dad is from Iran so I grew up on this stuff. The yogurt drink is called “doogh” (they also sell it carbonated which I think tastes better) and the crispy rice is “tahdig” which Persians will fight over
For those of you in the DC area try Moby Dick House of Kabob, a Persian chain restaurant.
Thanks for sharing Mitra! I remember loving the Persian food at your wedding!