Yalda 2023; Creating Identity through Traditions New and Old
Release Date: 12/13/2023
Fall for Persian Pies
Modern Persian Food
Join us for an exciting exploration of Persian-inspired pies perfect for Thanksgiving and fall. We kick off the episode by sharing our love for the big fall holiday, Thanksgiving, a time of gratitude and family togetherness, and how we blend Persian and American traditions at our holiday tables. This year, we've introduced a new interactive format where each presents unique pie recipes we've developed and shares creative culinary ideas for savory and sweet pies. Our goal is to inspire you to embrace cross-cultural dining experiences, enriching your cultural identity through the joy of food....
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The Persian Festival of Autumn Mehregan
Modern Persian Food
Embrace the changing of season by setting up a Sofreh Mehregan or trying out a new Persian recipe. Mehregan is the celebration of love, friendship, and a good harvest or bounty. Similar to other ancient Persian holidays, there is a dedicated sofreh setting for Mehregan. Typical items on the Mehregan sofreh include a mirror, candles, espand/esfand, wheat, grapes and other fall fruits, ajeel trail mix or nuts in the shell. A holy book or book of poetry, coins, sweets, and sunflowers round out the table setting. The main color of Mehregan is purple with accents of yellow, orange, and...
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Summer Recap and Seasonal Fruit Trees
Modern Persian Food
In this episode Beata and Bita catch up on their Persian-inspired summer activities and delve into the topic of fruit and fruit trees in Persian culture. Learn about the ways each of them embraces their culture and what it looks like in their family and community. Check out the links below for topics and episodes mentioned in this podcast episode: Beata on the game show: Links to episodes: All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Sign up for the email newsletter ! Check us out on , , and Subscribe+ to the Modern...
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Unwrapping Soghati Persian Souvenirs
Modern Persian Food
From golden saffron to delicate sweet treats, there are no better gifts than souvenirs from Iran! With all the summertime travel wrapping up, listen as we uncover what the most seeked out items from Iran are and learn about our cultural traditions around gift giving. All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Sign up for the email newsletter ! Check us out on , , and Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend. Opening and closing music composed by Amir Etemadzadeh, ...
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Exploring the Persian Summer Syrup Sekanjabin
Modern Persian Food
Join us as we savor the iconic and refreshing Persian syrup called sekanjabin this summer. We cover off on how to make it with just a few simple ingredients at home, and explore both the classic and modern ways we enjoy it from dipping sauces to fun cocktails. In the second half of the episode we uncover verjus in the Ask the Beats segment, sharing what it is and how it is incorporated into Persian cuisine. All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Sign up for the email newsletter ! Check us out on , , and Subscribe+ to the Modern...
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Persian Trucker Food with Standup Dan
Modern Persian Food
We’re diving into the archives and sharing one of our favorite episodes of the Modern Persian Food podcast - our interview with stand-up comedian and Food Network host Dan Ahdoot! We explore some of the lesser-known Persian dishes and ingredients and what Dan refers lovingly to as “Persian Trucker Food”. Dishes that hit the spot and stick to the ribs, like Dizi, Kaleh Pacheh, and Aash Sholeh Ghalamkar to name a few. It’s a fun conversation as we get to know Dan’s food preferences and chat about normalizing Persian cuisine in today’s food-diverse society. We also...
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Modern Additions to a Traditional Persian Breakfast
Modern Persian Food
We’re starting our day with a fresh and bountiful Persian spread including fruits, jams, breads, eggs, and much more! Either for breakfast or brunch, with a crowd or by yourself, we chat about our favorite Persian morning offerings and some of our modern additions to make it a memorable meal. Beata loves big displays of eggs adorned with spinach or dates. In contrast, Bita loves diving into a colorful bowl of creamy oats topped with Persian-inspired fruits and nuts such as pomegranate arils, toot, persimmons, walnuts, pistachios, and almonds! We cover the gamut of our go-to...
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Spring Herbs in Persian Cuisine
Modern Persian Food
Join us as we dive into spring herbs and how we incorporate them into some of our favorite Persian dishes and occasions. From a simple platter of Sabzi Khordan to a rich and elaborate stew of braised herbs in the iconic Ghormeh Sabzi, we discuss our favorite ways to eat these versatile greens. In the show's second half, we reflect on Nowruz, the Taste Awards in LA, and some of our food adventures of the last month. Be sure to listen to our plans for our next episode as we prepare for entertaining! Episodes referenced: All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found...
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Extra Sweet Nowruz with ZoZo Baking
Modern Persian Food
Join us as we get ready to celebrate the Persian New Year, Nowruz (or also spelled Norooz, Nowrooz, Norouz, Noroz) which occurs on the moment of the Spring Equinox. Persians around the world celebrate by gathering around a Sofreh Haft Seen, the symbolic display of the “Seven S’s” that sets the intentions of the new year. In the second half of the episode, Beata and Bita are joined by special guest Fariba Nafissi from ZoZo Baking and the trio chat about what Nowruz means to them and special memories. Fariba shares her recipe for Nane-Par Feather Cookies with the Modern...
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BONUS Episode - We’re going to the Taste Awards!
Modern Persian Food
Vote for the Modern Persian Food Podcast in the 2024 Taste Awards! We are finalists in the “Best Lifestyle Podcast” and the “Best Food or Drink Podcast” categories. Vote for us here: before Saturday, February 17th, 2024 You can answer as few as 4 questions (#1, #2, #4, and #6) It would be an honor to be recognized for the work we have put behind the Modern Persian Food podcast, and the Persian Food community as a whole. Today we are sharing the episode we submitted for consideration. It was last year and the start of our summer series featuring Persian...
info_outlineJoin us for an extraordinary journey into the heart of Persian culture as we celebrate Yalda, the longest and darkest night of the year. Listen in as we, your hosts Bita and Beata, explore the traditions of this beloved holiday. From staying up late, enjoying music and poetry, to indulging in delectable food, we bring you an intimate look into how Yalda Night is celebrated, also called Shabeh Yalda. Be prepared for personal stories, the discovery of old pre-revolution records, and enchanting poetry and music.
Venture further into Yalda Night's customs by discussing the holiday's food and drink. Learn about the significance of the traditional foods associated with Yalda, including pomegranates, watermelon, and winter dishes from Persian cuisine. We also reveal fun recipes for festive drinks - a pomegranate spritz and a Persian mulled wine tea.
We round off our Yalda Night episode by revealing our holiday and New Year plans and reflections on the podcast and press achievements from 2023.
So, gather your loved ones, prepare tea and sweets, and join us as we journey through Yalda Night. We wish you a happy Yalda season and a fantastic start to the new year. Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to seeing you next time.
Episodes mentioned:
Episode 114: Yalda Winter Solstice
References:
Fountain of Light, original score piano by Firooz Mohtadi
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at Episodes
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Opening and closing music composed by Amir Etemadzadeh, www.amirschoolofmusic.com
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio