Alhamdulillah today is the 2nd day of ramadhan. I'm so glad to have the chance again to celebrate ramadhan near my family. Meaning that I'm fasting for 14 hours instead of 17 in Iran. :) As every year's ritual, on the first day of fasting, my sibling will gather in mak's for iftar. As usual I'm the head of chef of the house. Yesterday the sisters ordered nasi kerabu. So I made nasi kerabu, the simple one without solok lada or ayam percik or grilled beef. They went to bazar ramadhan but it was so crowded that they only bought some ayam percik and drinks.
The day before ramadhan I craved for noodles by nearby warong (stall) near my house. My sister bought for me mee bandung and mee goreng. The mee goreng still have the same flavor like it used to be but it's disappointing that the mee bandung was tasteless. In Javanese culture, there is one ritual before ramadhan called "ngerangsom" which means people eat foods they like before ramadhan. This year my mak ngerangsom to eat cendol which she had in the evening at night market.
Oklah. I wish you all have a great and meaningful ramadhan. Taa daafe baad...khoda hafez!
Guys....There's no such thing like killing shia and go to heaven. However, InsyaAllah you will get the direct access to Jahannam. Why be such a fool? Don't you have family? Don't you love them? Don't you want to see your children become doctor or engineer when they grow up? Don't you want to sleep calmly at night and wake up for a nice morning? Don't you want to go for a vacation? Don't you want to eat good foods? Why you like to die? What do you get?? Damn, I really don't understand. Maybe you are sick! You are your sponsors' dog. You are not Muslim.
Recipe: Click here. Instead of normal rice tahdig, place the bottom of pot with onion slices and bread. Decorate nicely and steam with very low heat for about 30 minutes. Watch closely as onion and bread will easily burn (yes I burnt it) :) Maybe because I didn't use teflon pot (excuse). I made this another another one time with teflon and it turned out beautiful and yummy. Didn't snap photo though.
~ 2 large onion, dice (I used a lot to get thick gravy and sweetness)
~ 5 cloves garlic
~ 2 tspn turmeric powder
~ 1 tspn cinnamon powder
~ 1/2 tspn blackpepper powder
~ 2 tbsp saffron liquid
~ salt to taste
~ juice of 1 lime
~ hot water
~ cooking oil
Methods:
1. Heat some oil in a pan. Place chicken thighs, fry until all sides turn brown. Set aside. This step is important to get a juicy meat.
2. In the same pan, saute onion and garlic, add turmeric powder.
3. When the onion turn golden color, add in the seared chicken, cinnamon powder and blackpepper powder.
4. Pour hot water and saffron liquid, covering the chicken. Let it boil.
5. Lower heat to medium, cover the pot simmer for 1 hour.
6. After an hour, the water level has reduced by half. You'll get a thick gravy from the mashed onion and garlic.
7. Add in lime and taste with salt. I prefer not to put salt earlier. Somehow the sweetness from the onion and garlic need only a litlle pinch of salt.
8. Simmer for another 30 minutes or until the meat get very tender.
9. Serve with rice or bread.
Another version of Persian Style Recipe. Click here.
This is Zariff Zaquan. My best friend's first son. He's only 3 but has managed to steal my heart. We used to see each other often but now after he goes school we rarely have time to meet up. Or maybe aunty who is the one that always busy. My heart melted when he cried every time I wanted to go back from meeting him. Nowadays he knows how to use his mom's phone. He likes to send me messages or voice massages. Even though sometime only ABC or 123 or spelling my name or voice that I don't understand, I'm touched that he remembers me or maybe misses me. One night he called me and I only heard he's crying. Then I burst my tears in laugh knowing that he wanted me to come and go to Maslee together. Why Maslee Zaquan why?? haha. I am sorry boy that aunty couldn't meet you often. When you grow up you'll understand that adult has responsibilities and time constraints. I just want you to know that I love you so much like my son. Your mommy and I are best friends and we will never be separated. I'll watch you grow up and I know you'll be the best boy in town. :)
According to bff, Aghaye Hekayati was a children show during his childhood. Aghaye Hekayati was the story teller, telling story about animals. I tried to find it in Youtube but didn't find any. I think it's same like Aksi Mat Yoyo, a children show by Singaporean TV channel, SBS if I'm not mistaken.
(this post drafted last week nd I forgot to publish)
Finally my favorite TV host Anthony Bourdain went to Iran to shoot 'Parts Unknown'. I am a biggest fan of his shows especially No Reservations, A Cook's Tour and Parts Unknown at TLC. Before this I really wished that one day they will go to Iran. When I saw his tweet last 2 weeks that he is going to shoot parts unknown and he will off from all his social media for 10 days, I knew it! It must be Iran. Yeay it's true as he posted about it yesterday on all of his social media platforms. I really can't wait to watch the show. :)
one of mr bourdain's photo. he was at milad tower deck during the sand storm
There is another TV show that is currently on air every Tuesday on TLC that show Iran - Shane Delia Spice Journey. It is a cooking show actually where the host went to middle east counties to search for nice foods and recipes and later when he get back to Australia he adapt the recipes for a new fusion recipe. Past 3 episodes was about Persian foods where he traveled started from the south of Iran, and then Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd and Tehran. Next week's episode will be Tabriz and north of Iran. There is one scene in Shiraz that makes me laugh during the host's conversation with one Shirazi woman.
Shirazi woman: People in Shiraz is very popular for our hospitality.
Host: Oh, I heard that Shirazi people like to lay down, rest .....
(They both laugh)
For me, it is good to watch shows related to Iran in television. It is an opportunity for people to see and know Iran better. I hope there will be more in the future. Other than documentary, lately ASTRO bring several other Iranian films for channel A-List. Maybe I'll share it late. Till then..keep safe everyone..khodaegahdar.
I am sitting on a couch damedare faculty. It's 1.15 p.m. I just came back from faculty's library. Wanted to go for lunch but my head spinning like rollercoaster. I am having this bad headache on right side for several months. Normally I just let it cure by itself but sometimes when i have to do some important things, i pop panadols too,
Shekamam dare sedaye ahang jame jahani shakira mide. Ole ole ole. Goshnameeee. I look into my phone and saw this maash polow with nun lavash tahdig o sibzamini i made 2 months ago. Vay.....i want it now. :(
For recipe just go to the right tab and find under 'rice' label. I am so tanbal to find the link as i'm writing this post using tablet. Taa daaafe baaad....naaharet yadet nareh..nushe jooonet..khodahafez.
Me and my life..This is my story, my reference of my experience in learning Farsi and cooking Persian foods. For me Farsi is a very beautiful language. Persian Cuisine is not only foods to stuff hungry stomach, but it is an art that need to learn and practice to master. I have learned little and have lots ahead. This is my passion, my love.
