The Beats uncover the top 5 things to grab next time you find yourself in a Persian or middle eastern market!  Whether you have a market near you or you stumble into one on an adventure, Bita and Beata share their favorite things to shop for that are unique and specialty items.

Don’t forget to submit a question or comment for us to address live on the show.  Simply shoot us an email:  [email protected] or leave us an audio message on Instagram!  @modernpersianfood

All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes

Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food!

Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes

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Podcast production by Alvarez Audio

In today’s episode, Beata and Bita dive into the classic Persian layered rice dish Adas Polo. The medley of lentils, onions, raisins and dates along with the steamed rice provides a nutritious, comforting, and delicious wintry wintery dish.  Learn some recipe shortcuts including some modern twists on this staple Persian dish.  Are you ready for an umami, savory dish with hints of sweet and cinnamony notes?  Which version will you try?

Stay tuned to the end to hear strategies for warming up Persian food leftovers in the Ask the Beats segment!... and keep those questions comin’, we love to hear from our listeners.

All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes

Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food!

Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes

Recipes references:

Bita’s Lentil and Date Rice recipe (vegetarian) | Adas Polo

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Podcast production by Alvarez Audio

In today’s episode, Beata and Bita take a deep dive into a single ingredient, oranges, and the many forms they are used in Persian cuisine - orange as a fresh fruit, the rind or peel of oranges, and orange blossom water.

Orange you glad you listen to this episode?

Ask the Beats!

Amy from Veggies Save the Day wants to know, what gluten-free and vegan options are there in Persian restaurants?

All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes

Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food!

Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes

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Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.

Podcast production by  Alvarez Audio

Beata and Bita, collectively known as the Beats, are honored to be joined by the culinary expert, Andy Baraghani!  Tune it to learn about how growing up in a Persian American family influenced and shaped Andy’s life in food.  Learn how to make a basic Persian “torshi” and have some adventures in pickling.  Find out the best ways to eat sour, tart flavors in Persian cuisine, and finally,

Support Andy by grabbing a copy of his new cookbook, “The Cook You Want to Be”

Andy’s Instagram handle: @andybaraghani

Andy Baraghani asks the Beats live on the show for the “Ask the Beats” segment, “What is the Iranian dish you can’t live without and what is the Iranian dish that you never need to eat again!” and listen to Bita, Beata, and Andy all answer the question.

All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes

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Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and tell a friend.

Podcast production by Alvarez Audio

In this episode we are gifting you with 5, fun Persian-inspired cocktails! With our unique ideas you’ll have festive cocktails twists to ring in the new year.

• Pomegranate fizz
• Sekanjabin mojito
• Watermelon slushie
• Gohl Getter
• Cardamom Hot Toddy

Disclaimer: all of these drinks can easily be made without any alcohol as mocktails.  If you choose to drink, be sure to drink responsibly and have a designated driver.

Cheers to a healthy, hopeful new year ahead, beh salamaty!

All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes

Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food!

Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes

Sign up for the email newsletter here!

Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.

Podcast production by Alvarez Audio

How about a fun and unique twist to holiday baking?  Bita and Beata share recipes, inspiration and short-cuts to create delicious and easy Persian-ish desserts to add new flavors to your holiday treats.

All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes

Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food!

Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes

Recipes references:

Bita’s digital download cookbook, Modern Persian Desserts

Bita’s Persian Walnut Cookies

Bita’s Orange Cardamom Tea Cake

Beata’s Jeweled Cinnamon Rolls – BeatsEats

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Podcast production by Alvarez Audio

Learn more about the #CookForIran global movement of dinners, restaurants, and chefs. Beata and Bita are joined by Layla Yarjani in an insightful conversation about an opportunity to help spread awareness about the situation and people in current events in Iran.

For more information check the website:

Cook for Iran

All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes

Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food!

Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes

Recipes references:

Beata’s Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup – BeatsEats

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Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.

Podcast production by Alvarez Audio

Beata and Bita are eager to share about Yalda (also known as Shab-e Yalda), the longest darkest night of the year, which happens on the Winter Solstice. They want to inspire you to celebrate Yalda, in whatever form you can, this year. 

Listen to get ideas of incorporating elements from this ancient festival to your holiday gatherings, end-of-year events, or on the actual night of Yalda.

In the spirit of Yalda, this episode includes three special family music and poetry clips to get listeners in the mood to celebrate.

The song “Ghoghaye Setaregan” by Parvin is sung by from Bita’s mom, Maman Minoo.

Santoor music is played by Beata’s Maman Joon.

Excerpts from “The Symbols of Love” by Salak (Mojtaba Kashani) is recited by Beata’s late Baba Joon, and includes a translation by Beata herself. 

Modern Persian Food podcast references:

Episode 63: Yalda

Episode 10: Yalda Winter Flavors

Hamid Rahmanian Shahnameh Book - The Epic | شاهنامه فردوسی

Special Yalda song: Shabe Yalda by Kalmast

Recipe: Beata’s Walnut and Pomegranate Stew – Khoreshteh Fessenjoon – BeatsEats

Recipe: Bita’s Ajeel | Persian Trail Mix Recipe - Oven Hug

All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes

Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food!

Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes

Sign up for the email newsletter here!

Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.

Podcast production by Alvarez Audio

What makes a Persian steakhouse different than a regular Persian restaurant or chelo kababi.  Join Bita, Beata and Fera Hashemi as they explore the nuances of a modern approach to eating out Persian style with a twist.  It’s all in the in-house aged meats, the quality of the meat, the presentation and special Persian hospitality.  The chef is Fera’s husband who is in the kitchen making his version of fesenjoon on meatballs and eggplant dip molded into elegant designs.

Join us in a culinary feast of Fera and Mike’s modern Persian steakhouse approach dining.

Arya Steakhouse

All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes

Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food!

Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes

Sign up for the email newsletter here!

Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.

Podcast production by Alvarez Audio 

Have you had Haleem, known by some as Persian porridge? If not, definitely give this episode a listen. Bita & Beata break down traditional and modern recipes of a classic, rich and delicious Persian food made with primarily wheat and meat. Much more delicious than it sounds, it’s creamy and luscious and super comforting. Also spelled Halim.  

Don’t have time to boil, strain, simmer, and mash?  Not to worry, Beata has a quick and easy solution using oats and store-bought chicken.  Bita joon shares tips for using Thanksgiving turkey leftovers to keep the savory flavors going.  Both the Beats share tips and tricks including substitutions for hard to find ingredients.  Dig in!

This week’s “Ask the Beats” comes in the form of an audio message about Mexican and Iranian food fusions. Listen to hear more!

Episodes referenced:

Episode 59:  Persian Thanksgiving

Episode 60:  Persian Thanksgiving Leftovers

Episode 81: Make Tahdig Not War with Guest Parisa Parnian

All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes

Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food!

Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes

Sign up for the email newsletter here!

Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and tell a friend.

Podcast production by Alvarez Audio