The Persian Tortilla

Kuku is a type of omelet that Iranians serve as appetizers, side dishes accompanying meats, rice dishes or on its own. An ideal snack and perfect picnic food, a good kuku should always be thick and fluffy. There are many variations of Kuku, from herbs, aubergine, cauliflower, spinach etc. Growing up, one of my favorite kuku's my mother made us is Kuku Ghandi, translated as sugar kuku. Made up of potatoes, sugar, eggs and saffron, it is as if you are biting into a sweet golden cloud. 

Recipe:

6 medium size potatoes

6 eggs

6 tablespoons sugar

Pinch of saffron

Zest of half a lemon

2 tablespoons cooking oil

Garnish:

Pistachio slices

Almond slices 

Barberrys 

Method:

Boil the potatoes until cooked and remove skin, break the eggs into a food processor, adding the sugar, saffron and zest of lemon. Add the potatoes, make sure the potatoes are still hot. Blend well. 

In a shallow frying pan add the oil and pour mixture making sure it is on low heat. Cook for 10 mins with the lid on, flip and cook for another 10 min without the lid. Garnish with barberry, almond and pistachios slices. Serve at room temperature. 

Flush of Health

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Day Dreaming

I am drooling over this beautiful Bottega Veneta clutch available at matches. The striking colors really make a statement. I would naturally hold this clutch and be Lawrence of Arabia's plus one.  

I know we are very far far far away from any cool weather coming our way, but one can at least visually day dream about this scrumptious YSL fox fur trimmed cardigan for the winter ahead. Also available at matches. 

The Stupendous Mr. Dior

Rachel Weisz looks sensational wearing Christian Dior Couture and Christian Louboutin at the premiere of The Bourne Legacy. I love the cut, simplicity, length and not to mention the dress has pockets! The shoes are quirky but work so well with her dress. Fabulous!

                                                                Photo taken from celebspin.com

Girl Power

Ye Shiwen has broken an all time record on Saturday for the 400m individual medley. She even manged to beat Ryan Lochte's record! I love this girl. Now she is being accused for using steroids? Stop the hating and accept it. According to the telegraph  this years drug testing for the Olympics 2012 is the most rigorous in history, I highly doubt she can use any steroids and not get caught. Amazing performance.

Tadari

Tadari or "lazy food", is a simple comforting Esfahani dish of minced lamb, potatoes and tomatoes. Wives make this dish when they are pressed for time, but the end result is something so satisfying it can kick the ass of any long cooked stew any day.

Recipe:

1/2 kilo lamb (shoulder)
2 onions
3 potatoes
3 tomatoes
Salt
Pepper
Tumeric
Small cube of butter (optional)

Method:

Mince the lamb with the onions, adding salt, pepper and turmeric. Flatten in a shallow frying pan and allow to cook for 5-10 min until it turns brown on the bottom, slice the meat into 4 sections then eight and flip over to the other side and allow to brown. Once browned removed from pan and set aside. In the same pan layer the potatoes, adding salt, pepper and tumeric, then layer the meat and finally the tomatoes. Add butter. Allow to cook slowly on low hear for 30-45 minutes. Serve with bread.

House of Strength

I've got a secret to share.

I love watching old footage of traditional Iranian gymnasiums otherwise known as Zurkhaneh, men practicing the Iranian national sport (Varzeshe Bastani) . Historically as a nation we admire physical strength, and the house of strength embodies elements of pre-Islamic Iranian culture and spiritual values.

This is one of my favorite video clips, Its narrated in French, you can skip to 2:04 to watch the rigorous and comprehensive physical exercise session. 

Vegetable Orzo Pasta

This is a delicious dish all year around, as orzo works perfectly with vegetables. The fluffy golden pasta pieces soaking up the mushroom tomato sauce, smokey grilled aubergines and crunchy pine nuts.......ahhhhhh! Its very light, full of texture, color and flavor. You can play around with the vegetables used, adding courgettes instead of aubergine or asparagus, roasting the peppers instead of cooking adding it in raw. A visual and tummy pleaser. 

Recipe:

500 grams Orzo pasta 

3 medium onions chopped

1 green bell pepper chopped

6 cloves of garlic chopped finely

10-15 cherry tomatoes

1 big aubergine 1/2" thick 

2 small boxes of fresh mushroom

4-5 slices dried porcini mushroom soaked in hot water

Splash of Tabasco

1 big spoon of tomato paste

2 slices of sun dried tomatoes

Oregano

White Pepper

Black pepper

Sea salt

Olive oil

2 handfuls of pine nuts roasted

Fresh lemon juice 

Few sprigs of thyme

Big handful of fresh basil 

Small handful of fresh parsley 

Parmesan Cheese

Method:

Saute the mushrooms in a little olive oil and season with white pepper and oregano for 5-10 mins adding the salt last and set aside. Sweat the onions for 5-10 min and add the tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, porcini mushrooms with the water it was soaking in, bell pepper, salt, pinch of white pepper, more oregano,  splash of lemon juice, Tabasco and a small amount of basil and parsley. Add the sauteed mushrooms and let the water reduce for 10 mins, by now the tomatoes will have burst creating a sauce. Grate Parmesan cheese to your liking on the sauce. 

In a hot grill pan, place the aubergines and in a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon, oregano, thyme, black pepper and salt and brush on the aubergines every time you flip it until it is completely grilled. 

Dry roast the pine nuts in a small frying pan, making sure you are watching over it as it burns very easily. Once golden remove and place in a small bowl.  

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water for 5 minutes and drain. Add a bit of olive oil once you return it to the pan.

To assemble, place the orzo on a serving plate and add the warm mushroom tomato sauce then the aubergines, topping it with grated Parmesan cheese, basil and pine nuts. 

Mascara

One of my first purchases of makeup growing up was mascara, I bought it at the Body Shop at Zahra in 1992, when hanging out at the Pizza Hut outside was the equivalent of dinner, clubbing, and after party all rolled into one. I can't leave home without applying it, globs and globs on the upper and lower lids. Over the years I have tried ALOT of mascara's and here are some of my favorite ones:

1. L'Oreal-Extra Volume Collagene: I discovered this one in the States this year and really does plump up 

    your lashes, careful as it slightly clumps. My trick is to mix this after applying the Hyponse, as it extends 

    and intensifies. 

2. Hypnose Doll Eyes by Lancome: A great everyday use, it separates, lengthens just perfect for layering. 

3. YSL- Volume Effect Faux Clis: Queen Disco of mascara's, gives you the most unbelievable fake lashes 

    effect, also one of the best to layer on after any of the above. 

4. Dior- Black Out: A couple of applications of this Ms. Dior number and you have beautiful long lashes, this 

    also clumps if you layer too much one.

5. Helena Rubinstein- Lash Queen: The name speaks for itself. My favorite mascara. Gives you the blackest 

    of black lashes, never clumps, separates and the brush is perfect for the lower lashes.   

One mascara I really want to try is the Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill. Has anyone tried it? Do you have a favorite mascara? Please share.

Dill Crust

One of the simplest methods of cooking rice is preparing it kateh style. Its sticker than normal rice that has been drained but no thunder has been stolen from this no-fuss recipe as the flavor is much more dense. One of my favorite kateh's is with dill, it works perfectly with grilled fish especially salmon, bbq chicken, on its own, with everything really. The crust at the bottom is what everyone fights over at the table......she's fresh fresh, exciting.....she's so exciting to me.

Recipe:

2 cups rice
4 cups water
3 bunches of fresh dill
2 tablespoons powder almond
Quarter stick of butter
2 tablespoons of sunflower oil
Salt to taste

Method:

Wash rice and place in a non stick pot adding water, butter, oil, powdered almond and salt. Put on medium heat until water starts to boil,  add the dill and gently stir and put on low heat for 45-50 min. Flip on serving plate.

Shite List

1. Ombre Hair......yawn.
2. The salads at Lorenzo-why so much soy sauce? Why even include soy sauce?
3. The physio therapy receptionist at Mowasat- You're so pathetic.
4. Dean & Deluca renovation.......hurry up and open already!!!
5. Raja'ee cake from Caramel.......so unimpressed.
6. The fact that I am addicted to Pretty Little Liars.

Does anyone have any anger they want to release? Anyone?

Night Fever

Loving this fun shirt designed by Collette Dinnigan avaiable on netaporter. Pair with dressy shorts or skinny jeans and do the shuffle!!! 

Yazdi Cakes

The city of Yazd  is known as the confectionery capital of Iran. Mouthwatering ancient sweets such as baklava, cardamon infused cotton candy (pashmak), and the highly addictive qhotab a sweet made from almonds, powder sugar and cardamon. One of my favorite childhood cakes are Yazdi cakes which I made today. These golden mini delights are moist, fragrant and the best enjoyed with freshly brewed tea.  

Recipe:

2 cups flour

4 eggs (room temperature)

1 cup plain yogurt

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup melted butter

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon rosewater

1/2 cup flaked almonds

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamon 

2 tablespoons ground pistachios (unsalted) 

Method:

Preheat oven to 180 Celsius, line muffin tin with paper. Sift flour, baking powder and baking soda, set aside. Mix eggs and sugar over a bain marie for 8 minutes, remove from heat and continue to beat for 12 minutes until you get a custard texture. Stir in the yogurt, butter, rosewater and cardamon, gently fold in the flour mixture and flaked almonds. Once assembled in muffin trays sprinkle pistachio's on each muffin and bake for 25-30 min.

Dr. Hauschka

I discovered this cream as a student years and years and years ago. It's very light, moisturizing and makes your skin as soft as cotton candy. I love how is natural, holistic and plain honest. The only complaint I would have about this cream is that it doesn't have SPF. You would have to apply a separate SPF, but hey nothing is perfect. I really really recommend this cream, what you see is truly what you get.

Meow

I have a really small face, so finding the right sunglasses is always a bit of a challenge. I came across these adorable cat like sunglasses at Solaris in Avenues. The first one shown below (Dior), suited me the best, as it was small,compact and framed my face. I didn't buy it as I thought I would think about it......typical as these glasses are the only thing am thinking about so off to avenues to buy them tomorrow!!

                                                                         
                                                                            Dior

Tom Ford

                                                                          Dior

Coral Fetish

One of my favorite finds this year was Dolce & Gabbana's Cosmopolitan 237 lipstick and nail varnish. A vibrant coral that has a hint of orange, goes on creamy and has great lasting power. Beautiful with a tan, or without, am just a sucker for corals, orange/reds. The kind of girl that has this color on at 8:00 am. I really hope they finally bring the Dolce & Gabbana makeup range to Kuwait.

Stiff Upper Lip

Love these two minimalist dresses that ooze ladylike silhouette, the first one by the super talented Azzedine Alaia that is actually velvet. Available at Matches. 

As peplum fever is high and very contagious, this Stella McCartney dress available on farfetch.com speaks for itself. I love the detailing on the back.

Leek and Lentil Soup

As a self confessed "make up the recipe along the way" kind of person, I was really happy with the result of this soup because one, the leeks really did it proud and two, I was going to get such crap if I messed this up as it was the only soup on the table tonight! Phew.

Recipe:

1/2 cup yellow lentils
1/2 cup red lentils
1/2 cup barley
2 big onions
1 medium size leek
2 medium size carrots (shredded)
1 cup homemade chicken stock (please do not use stock cubes)
3 cloves of garlic
Small handful of fresh parsley
Small handful of fresh coriander
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 
4-5 cups of water
4 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt
White pepper

Garnish:

Pita bread
Chopped parsley

Method:

Sweat the onion in olive oil, stirring in the lentils and barley. Add chicken stock, water, salt and pepper and leave to cook for an hour and half. In a frying pan, saute the leeks with olive oil, garlic, parsley, coriander and carrots seasoning with salt and pepper for 5 min. Add to lentil and barley mixture with lemon juice and continue to cook for 45 mins. Cut the pita bread into tiny crouton squares and fry in olive oil until golden, place on kitchen paper to absorb the oil. Serve the soup with croutons and chopped parsley.

Timoly

Last night I made a tomato/guacamole salad that my older brother named "Timoly". It was such a hit, I had to make it again today. I didn't make the conventional guacamole, instead omitted the coriander and added sweet green chili peppers.

Recipe:

4 Lebanese mountain tomatoes

4 ripe avocados

12 small green chili peppers

1 teaspoon Tabasco

1 small white onion

Fresh lemon juice

Olive oil

Sea salt

Black Pepper

Handful of fresh basil 

Method:

Wash and slice the tomatoes and assemble half on a serving plate. In a bowl mash the avocado's and add 8 sliced sweet chili's, chopped onion, Tabasco, lemon juice, sea salt and pepper. Spread the guacamole mixture on the first layer of tomatoes and place the remainder of the tomatoes seasoning with salt, pepper, more lemon juice, salt, pepper, garnish with basil and sweet chili's. Serve chilled.

Herb Bean Soup

And this delightful herb whose tender green

Fledges the river's lip on which we lean

Ah, lean upon it lightly, for who knows

From what once lovely lip it springs unseen!

                                                                        -Omar Khayyam

Ash meaning (soup) has many varieties in flavor and texture in Persian cuisine, most of which I shall be sharing on my blog. During the month of Ramadan a popular ash is Ash-e-Shologhalam Kar (Herb Bean Soup). 

Hearty, Mighty and Rich. Filthy rich.

Recipe:

Half neck of lamb

1 big onion

1 cup mung beans

1/2 cup rice

1 cup white beans

1/2 cup chick peas

1 kilo fresh chives and parsley

2-3 stalks fresh tarragon or 1 tablespoon of dried tarragon

3 tablespoons caramelized onions

1 teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

Salt

Pepper 

Method:

Fill a pot with water and cook the neck of lamb with a whole onion for 4 hours. Once cooked, remove bones and knead with the palm of your hand, adding a ladle of stock to moisten the meat. Set aside. Meanwhile separately cook the mung beans and rice together and white beans and chick peas together. Add the beans setting aside half of the white bean and chick peas to the meat mixture and season with turmeric, cinnamon, salt, pepper and caramelized onions and begin to mash with a meat masher. Wash, dry and roughly chop the chives, parsley and tarragon add to the meat and bean mixture and continue to mash. Serve in big bowl and garnish with the remainder of the beans and caramelized onions.    

Yogurt Stew

Yogurt Stew (Khoresteh Mast) is a very unique and visually stimulating stew that is served chilled as a side dish or dessert in Esfahan. Usually presented at weddings and celebrations, the basis of the stew is lamb neck that has been cooked for hours and "kneaded" with the palm of hands. Thick yogurt is then added with sugar, saffron and decorated with barberries, almonds and pistachios. 

This eye candy is so fabulous it is eaten alone. Bad Ass

Club Tropicana

Club Tropicana, drinks are free
Fun and sunshine, there's enough for everyone
All that's missing is the sea,
But don't worry, you can suntan!
                                                          -Wham! Club Tropicana

I made my Aloe Vera smoothie tonight and it really was sunshine in a glass! Highly recommended!

Recipe:

Juice of 4 oranges

2 bananas

Handful of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries 

2 pineapple slices

6 strawberries

1 tablespoon of honey

2-3 inch slice of Aloe Vera (flesh scooped out)

Big handful of ice.

Method:

Blend all ingredients together, serve chilled.

Favorite Dish?

Seriously? Wished they would have asked what the favorite dish was! Poor wife.

Boom-Chicka-Boom

I spotted this cute t-shirt at Topshop with the iconic Johnny Cash on it. Would be perfect with a blazer, denim shorts or cargo pants. I would personally remove the sleeves giving it an edge.

Aloe Vera

On lazy days at home I make a DIY Aloe Vera mask for my hair and face. Aloe Vera known as the "First Aid" plant includes essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, enzymes and amino acids that are beneficial and possess a potent natural medicine.
I simply scoop the gel flesh out, blend it to make a paste and run it through my hair and face for hours, then rinse it out. It leaves both your hair and skin hydrated, shiny, soft and moisturized. 


Ladies, its also a perfect soother for the days we thread, wax or laser our face. 

Am planning on making an Aloe Vera smoothie tonight! Stay tuned.

Beryooni

Esfahan is famous for its Beryooni. Lamb is stewed with onions, minced and cooked in small pan made only for beryoon. The stock is reduced and seasoned with saffron, cinnamon and salt and pepper. Bread is then ripped into small pieces and drenched in the flavored stock topped with kashk (whey) and fried mint. Perfection.

Soul Warming Soup

Adasi or lentil soup is an absolute complement during the month of Ramadan. This piquant soup exudes the natural flavor of lentils under girded by fragrant dry oregano. It has a very thick consistency that is scooped up with warm bread, or eaten alone. It definitely hugs you in all the right spaces.

Recipe:

1 cup small brown lentils
6 cups of water
2 teaspoons dry oregano
1 cube of unsalted butter
Salt to taste


Cooking utensil:


Small copper pot


Method:


Wash the lentils, adding the water and allow to cook in a copper pot on low heat for 2-3 hours until there is a small amount of water left in the pot. Puree the lentils through a food mill, keeping the water and puree mixture and return to copper pot adding the butter, one teaspoon of oregano and salt. Cook for another 25 min on low heat. Once you are ready to serve sprinkle the remaining oregano. Serve with warm bread.

Posh Totty

I was skimming through the latest Harper's Bazaar Arabia Interiors magazine the other day when my eyes were transfixed on this chic Erdem ensemble worn by jewelry designer Delfina Delettrez. Delfina is the daughter of Siliva Venturini Fendi from the Fendi empire. I love everything about this outfit, from the ethereal print on the blouse to the sexy pencil skirt. Pure class.

Spotted.......

Major typo and naughty teasing at Le Relain de Entrecote in Al-Hamra mall.

Oxymel

Oxymel, as the ancient Greeks used to call a Persian period drink or syrup made up of mint leaves, vinegar and sugar. Hippocrates, used to prescribe it extensively, commenting that, among other things, “it promotes expectoration and freedom of breathing.”


In Iran this drink is called sekanjabin and is served as a refreshing drink mixed with water and grated cucumbers or eaten as a dip with romaine lettuce.

God's wrath is his vinegar, mercy his honey.
These two are the basis of every oxymel.
If vinegar overpowers honey, a remedy is spoiled.
The people of the earth poured vinegar on Noah;
the Ocean if divine Bounty poured sugar.
The Ocean replenished his sugar
and overpowered the vinegar of the world.


                                                                    -Rumi

Kashani Charmer

In the historical city of Kashan, this delightful snack is eaten in the summer months. Crisp cucumbers splashed with vinegar, salt, pepper and topped with fragrant rose petals. Fit for a Safavi King.

Ghormeh Sabzi

The history of Ghormeh Sabzi dates back to at least 500–1000 years. Boy oh boy did they have exquisite taste  back then. A slow cooked stew made up of lamb muscle, herbs and pinto beans.....historical gourmet food at its finest.

Recipe:

Herb mixture

10 bunches of fresh chives

8 bunches of fresh parsley

2 bunches of fresh coriander

1 small bunch of fresh spinach

1 handful of dried fenugreek

Half cup of pinto beans (soaked overnight)

1 kilo lamb muscle with or without bone

2 loomi's

Fresh lemon juice

2 big onions 

1 teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon cinnamon and a bit for later

Salt

Black Pepper 

Method:

Wash and dry all the fresh herbs and chop very very finely. Fry with a little oil adding the fenugreek, stirring for 20 mins, once mixture is cooled set aside. Sweat the onions with a little cooking oil and add the lamb, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, pepper, pinto beans and herb mixture. Stir for 5 minutes and add 2 cups of water, letting the stew gently cook for 2 to 3 hours on very low heat. Add the loomi, fresh lemon juice and continue to cook for another hour. Serve with white rice and raw onions. 

Cheese and Bread

Is there anything as quick and delicious as a cheese and bread open sandwich? No I don't think so. I was running errands at Avenues yesterday, when I passed Paul's and their bread section started singing a loving serenade to me. I bought 2 loaves, one organic and the other 6 cereal. The 6 cereal was very very salty and I put an end to his serenade very fast. The organic one however was very delicious, crusty outside, soft and warm inside......I was hooked. I made this open sandwich by toasting the bread, placing slices of beefy mountain tomatoes from Lebanon, feta cheese, sliced avocado, fresh basil and salt and pepper.

Not a happy bunny

I bought the La Prairie Cellular Radiance eye cream two months ago and to be honest isn't as good as I thought it would be. It doesn't moisturize as much as other eye creams I have used, and the annoying part is the shimmer! Yes, the cream has shimmer in it, bringing more attention to fine lines and wrinkles. 

Has anyone used this cream? Are you a happy bunny? Any recommendations on better eye creams?

Let me know.

Gibson Dress

Love love love this Stella McCartney Gibson dress now available at matches.
Debuted by the fabulous Kate Moss.

Pesto

I love making pesto from scratch. I made this version using:

Walnuts

Toasted pine nuts

Fresh basil

Fresh parsley

Fresh mint

Lemon juice

One garlic clove

Parmesan cheese

Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Olive oil

Whiz whiz whiz in a blender adding the olive oil slowly

Ta-daa! Served with piping hot linguine, sauteed mushrooms, garlic, roasted peppers, porcini mushrooms and white truffle oil.