New Persian Restaurant: Ariyana - Review

There is a new Persian restaurant, Ariyana Restaurant but on the sign board written Rafflesia Cafe, I'm not sure why different names.  In my opinion it's better to put something "Irooni" name as it will represent the type of foods. By the way, it is located at Taman Universiti, same area with Parsia Restaurant and PG Restaurant (both serves Persian foods).

So tonight I had dinner at this brand new restaurant. They serves khoreshes (stews) and kebabs. I ate Bakhtiyari Kabob (boneless lamb and chicken kebabs) served with noon (bread), grilled tomato and fresh basils, RM15, 100Plus RM2.50. While bff had Ghormeh Sabzi, RM10, Doogh (yogurt drink) RM3 and salad shirazi, RM3. All in all, food was excellent. The kebabs well cooked, not sour. The ghormeh sabzi was great (according to bff as I can't take it because I never ever can accept the taste). Salad shirazi was OK, for me a bit sour). The only complaint is for doogh. I think it is a bought from shop doogh not homemade, correct me if I'm wrong.

Ambiance.. comfortable with brand new furnitures, an eye-catching aquarium, large HD tv playing PMC channel (Iranian channel through internet) and air-con (but tonight they didn't turn on the ac, so a bit hot). Most important, free wi-fi! Gelyoon/shi sha/hookah also available. 

Me and bff agreed that it is worth to make a second visit. The owner is very kind indeed. Offering tarof when we wanna pay. You know what, if I was alone, I will deadly accept that offer haha :) so don't offer tarof with me!

This is a link to Ariyana Restaurant FB. 

Haha, I couldn't rotate it

 So peeps, don't forget to make a visit there!

My New babies

Hello..I was busying myself with my new babies..Introducing the trio of Budgies, from left sabzee, abeee & zardee..

At first there were only 2, zardee and another 1 which fled at the 2nd day. Then, I knew that budgie birds cannot live alone, then i bought the other 2 to accompany Zardee. Unfortunately after 3 weeks, Zardee was ill. She got bowel problem and her poo was stuck on her butt. I tried to removed it when it happened but it seems not helping. I fed her with vitamins also but she was very critical that night. I was thinking to take her to vet the next day, but she couldn't make it. She died at 12.00 a.m. in front of my eyes. And for the first time of my life, I cried for animal. I blame myself because I think this is my fault. I didn't take care of her well. I should put them in a bigger cage, I should buy another bird for her pair. Maybe..

Poor bird :(

In memories..

So now sabzee and abee left and I swear they will live for many years ahead..

Shivid Polow ba Mahi (Dill Rice with Fish)

Rice
Ingredients:
~ 2 cups basmathi rice - soak with salt for 30 minutes
~ 2 tbsp dried dill - because hard to find fresh dill here
~ 1 large onion
~ 2 tbsp saffron liquid
~ salt
~ vegetable oil

Methods:
~ Par-boil rice with 2 tbsp of oil for 10 minutes, drain
~ Saute onions until golden, turn off heat and mix dried dill
~ Mix the mixture with the par boiled rice and a little of salt
~ Top with saffron liquid
~ Steam for 30 minutes

Fish
Ingredients:
~ Any of your preferred  fish
~ Garlics
~ Coriander seeds
~ Cumin seeds
~ Turmeric powder
~ Rice Flour
~ Flour
~ Water
~ Salt

Methods:
~ With pestle and mortar, grind coriander seeds, cumin seeds, turmeric powder and salt.
~ Mix together the mixture with the 2 flour and water
~ Dip the fish in the batter and deep fry

Serve with your selected salad. This time I made purple cabbage with carrot salad and coriander leaves with onion salad.

Coriander Leaves and Onion Salad

I just mix coriander leaves, onions and salt.

Purple Cabbage with Carrot Salad

Ingredients (Dressing): 

1 tbsp EVO (Extra Virgin Oliveoil)

2 tbsp mayonnaise

Juice of 1 lime

Salt to taste

Sugar to taste

Happy Valentines Day

14 February..the date, the starting of everything..

I don't care what people says..Valentines is haram..whatsoever..what I know is this is the day which we remember our loves..appreciate each other..

Happy Valentine's Day

Persian Comedians - Just for laughs..

After some times having a relationship with a Persian, I can trace some of their...emm..what should I say, maybe special traits that uniquely can find only between Persians. I believe every race has its own uniqueness and for me, for Persians it's something sweet to know and interesting to explore.

I found some Persians comedians' video (thanks to you tube) who made nice jokes for their special traits. This is not to embarrass anybody, this is just for laughs...you know sometimes we will laugh to our own silliness right? so laugh babe..laughter will makes you younger! :))

Maz Jobrani talked about differences between Arabs and Persians. One important to know is, Persians HATE to be called Arab. And of course they are not Arabs!

Max Amini talked about nose job between Persian girls. When I went to Iran I saw many girls on streets put white tape on their nose. I wondered what happened until I found it's a plastic surgery. Well, women will do anything for beauty right? And maybe they really have a nose problem. Who knows? No comment!

Reza Peyk talked about the softness and shyness of Persian girls and how hard to melt them down..hm..hm..

K-von talked about the soft-tongue of Persian man to tackle girls - in this case white khareji (non-persian). Haha.this is true. But you know, a man will behave like a man until he realize which world is for them. So, ask yourself, are you in the right path?? or mine?haha..

Max Amini talked about the way Persians speak English. At the end he joke about attributes about Persian-Tork and Persian-Esfahani. If you can understand, it's really funny.

Omid Djalili talked about "tarof". For me this is very special attribute in Iranian culture. It means you offer something that actually you don't really want to offer or you say no to something you really want (correct me if I wrong). Now I am used to this tarof thing. 1 day I tarof a Malay friend to pay for her bill and I taught she will say no, but she just said OK THANKS! Haha. See! it didn't work to other race. Only Persians!

Well, I hope i can share also special traits in Malays..But you know, it is more interesting to know about others rather than yours..hehe..till then, bye

Befarmaeed sham...Gheymeh (Meat & Split Peas Stew)

I watched Befarmaeed Sham series, a Persian-UK cooking-competition tv show between 4 Iranians at UK which the winner will get $1000. Before this I watched the same style tv show, Come Dine With Me if I'm not mistaken on channel TLC (my favorite channel). When I knew about Befarmaeed Sham, I really like it not only because I can learn Persian recipes but sometime the secret methods to make foods better. Like today I watched episode 41 and the last contestant said, to make berenj (rice) fluffier and whiter, add some lime juice when the rice is boiling before rinse it. I love to watch these kind of shows, it is informative and useful for me. And after watching it, I kind of realize it also improve my Farsi proficiency as I can understand what they are talking because no subtitles included. Another show that I can share is Press TV cooking show. It is in English and the recipes are easy to follow.

Befarmaeed Sham -ManotoTV

Press TV Cooking Show

So after watching the shows, of course delam mikhad ghaza irani bokhoram (I want to eat Iranian foods). I have a bunch of split peas from Iran. So, I decided to use it for tonight sham (dinner) - Khoreshte Gheymeh. For recipe go here. But this time I omit cinnamon powder and lime juice and add 1 tbsp more of tomato paste.

This is the result...have a great sham..

Study @ money

I never taught that study is the hardest thing to do, moreover in my age. It becomes harder because no source of income. I was offered scholarship starting September 2011 but until now I haven't get the money. SPS said end of this month they will pay "if there's no problem". wth! What problem? Maybe you are the problem. What can I say more. SPS will always be SPS. UTM postgraduate students must understand what I mean. Cannot expect more from them. I just pray everything goes smooth and I get the money end of this month, if I don't die of hunger +.+

My studies, so far I didn't do much. Still round and round finding the best topic with my supervisor help. I hope I can finalized it before next semester start middle of this month. How I wish my best friend Linda is here. Really miss the study moment with her..at least when i'm stress, we will do something crazy..

hmm..ok lah..need to read some articles, tomorrow there'll be meeting with Mr.Supervisor!