Music for Tomorrow: Iranians Yearn for Freedom

Music for Tomorrow: Iranians Yearn for Freedom

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Reflections from December 2022 Music — noun — “an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color” (Collier’s). Unless, that is, you’re a repressed citizen of a state run by a corrupt government that bans women from singing in public, and banned rock ’n’ roll. Then it’s a freedom song for the voiceless in hopes of a better tomorrow. The song “Baraye,” which translates to “For”…

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Mediterranean Melody Cod with Tangy Tomato-Olive Relish

Mediterranean Melody Cod with Tangy Tomato-Olive Relish

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Delicate fish, umami tomatoes and a briney contrast with capers + olives — a beautiful balancing act of satly, sweet and savory. It is a celebration of bold mediterranean flavors, kissed by excellent olive oil and bright lemon juice. It’s also just beautiful. A feast for the eyes and the palette. Here I serve it over cod but any flakey mild fish works. The relish can be enjoyed many other ways too: on crusty toast with a fried egg on…

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Simple Homemade Hummus

Simple Homemade Hummus

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Homemade is better than store-bought. Period. While convenience is understandable, you’d be surprised how easy it is to whip up with a few ingredients. Not to mention the gratification of making it yourself — without added preservatives. The key is high quality tahini. That’s the secret sauce, literally. Tahini is a velvety, luscious paste, with a delightfully nutty flavor derived from ground sesame seeds. We love it, here and beyond. I often serve hummus with olive oil, paprika + za’atar….

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Savory Onion Omelette

Savory Onion Omelette

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Simple yet sophisticated at the intersection of sweet and savory. This onion omelette has a grounding taste, earthy and comforting. A swift recipe for a satisfying meal — be it the main event for breakfast and dinner — or a supporting role at brunch. The subtle sweetness of the fragrant caramelized onion complements the creamy eggs, created through folds during the quick cooking process. Salty feta adds an additional layer of flavor with briney delight, but the omelette is just…

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On Seeking Home & Freedom

On Seeking Home & Freedom

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“I have been a stranger in a strange land.” – The BibleExodus 2:22 The story of Passover is a commemoration of the exodus of the ancient Israelites from slavery to freedom. It’s about the journey of a group of people wandering difficult landscapes in search of a place to live with dignity — in search of home. As an Iranian-American Jewish Woman, my relationship with religion is complex. But I appreciate the holiday’s universal themes of memory, optimism, humanity, family…

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Joyous & Jammy, Honey Soft-Boiled Eggs

Joyous & Jammy, Honey Soft-Boiled Eggs

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Ralph Waldo Emerson said “There is always a best way of doing everything, if it be to boil an egg.” I couldn’t agree more. There are endless ways to prepare an egg but soft-boiled is my favorite. They are lucious, delicious and satisfying. In my fool-proof recipe below, you’ll see anyone can make them in exactly 6 1/2 minutes. As for the wonders of this phenomenal simple pleasure, I wasn’t sure how to articulate my thoughts so I asked ChatGPT…

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Curried Lentils with Kale, Ginger and Spices

Curried Lentils with Kale, Ginger and Spices

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Fall is flirting with us and slightly cooler evenings summon cravings for cozy dinners. There is still time to enjoy heirloom tomatoes and summer bounties ripe with flavor from the local farmer’s markets- but a hearty pot of curried lentils is a delightfully delicious and vegetarian dinner any time of year. Lentils are a versatile blank canvas to build flavor upon. Here, creamy coconut milk, copious amounts of ginger and a medley of aromatic spices adorn the lentils. A nutritious…

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Classic Roast Chicken

Classic Roast Chicken

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Fall is fully upon us and with that comes a desire for warming roasts and slow cooked hearty dishes. The days are shorter, temperatures cooler, and we crave comfort. The truth is chicken roasted in the oven, in the endless iterations it can be prepared, is good all year round. It’s a dish synonymous with home cooking and perhaps the one dish I’ve share most with loved ones. From family feasts to fabulous fetes with friends, a golden roasted bird…

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Garlicky Green Beans with Crunchy Almonds

Garlicky Green Beans with Crunchy Almonds

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Perhaps one of the simplest recipes on my Thanksgiving menu, this tasty vegetarian side dish is on rotation when I need something light to complement more decadent dishes. Bright blanched beans, highlighted by garlicky and crunchy golden almonds. You quickly sauté chopped garlic in olive oil, infusing the olive oil with heavenly garlic aroma. Then add the chopped almonds, roast for a few minutes until golden, then pour the entire mixture over the blanched beans. Voila! A few ingredients, awesome…

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Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

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Thanksgiving — my favorite holiday — is around the corner and I can’t wait to start preparing warming fall flavors to celebrate with friends and family. I’ve been cooking a thanksgiving meal for my people for 15 years, and it brings me much joy every time. I wrote about the joy and thrill of this holiday here . I look forward to building on that and creating new memories each year. Whether cooking for 25 people or 5 people, I’m…

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