Assadi Table

Its been weeks since I’ve shared Persian food and culture here. Why? Because the Iranian people are suffering and mourning. Women getting killed for showing their hair. Men getting killed for singing a song about freedom. Teenagers executed for writing a poem. I would rather share about the rich culinary culture and history but how can I when so many suffer?

If you don’t what’s going on there, here is an update:
It’s been 8 weeks now that the Iranian people have been protesting. It all started with the death of 22-year old Mahsa Amini who died at the hands of morality police for a piece of her hair showing beneath her hijab. Since then, protesters have flooded into the streets taking a stand for “women, life, freedom.” Women are courageously removing their headscarf’s and dancing in the streets (which is illegal). Simply marching, dancing, chanting, and singing.

These protests have now led to Judges in Iran calling for a mass ex*****on of protestors. That’s more than 14,000 people, most of them are high school and college students (the real number is likely double but due to the Islamic regime silencing everyone, we can’t be sure how much higher the number really is). Of the hundreds that have been killed, 41 of them have been children. This is just the very beginning.

While sharing recipes and stories of the beautiful culture I fell in love with will by no means ease the pain, I know it’s important to continue talking about the current affairs in Iran. I feel overwhelmed by the burden of helplessness. Maybe, just maybe, sharing stories and recipes is just what people need to feel connected.

Persian Pantry – The Essentials

Before we dive into cooking all of the amazing Persian food, there are a few staple pantry items that are nice to have on hand. These are the basics to almost every Persian meal, plus a few other specialty items. I added the links to where you can buy almost everything online. You can also check out your local Middle Eastern store as well (Caspian Bistro and Holy Land if you live in Minneapolis). I tried to keep it as simple and straightforward as possible. I’m excited to start cooking with you and teach you this nourishing cuisine. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Seasonings:

Turmeric - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K525GYZ?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_H03MMVGPZFB1FVJ8D5E8

Dried Mint - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GUU6DX2?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_8X87ZCA2APH2A2M30FZ0

Saffron - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072K71972?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FXBE3MPR8N5VY32SC0DN

Limu Omami (dehydrated lime) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010RIO3CU?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KZ1KA67G7VXA98CN9EZC

Fenugreek - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GUU6FCQ?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_RSC24YFW85SHXC28Q6QQ

Pantry:

Rose Water - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XKUVKEW?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_ND2DWYEF1KFFEVQKVYPB

Grapeseed Oil - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QWBZWO?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_GGTSSMBQTD8KK60YYEBY

Basmati rice - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086RC6PJ5?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_4148QEYJV6Y0JCRAXE90

Produce:

Limes
Cucumbers
Onions
Tomatoes

Dairy:

Whole Milk Plain Yogurt
Feta Cheese

Other:

Salad Spinner - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004OCKR?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_TNQSQNG4D2QWD9D73HYV

Pars Rice Cooker - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E7HUWP0?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_44WPEMZKMV35EMKA1TJ4

Everything else (meat, fresh herbs, etc), you can buy per recipe to make sure it is fresh.

Pars Automatic Persian Rice Cooker (15 Cup) Pars Automatic Persian Rice Cooker (15 Cup)

How the name “Assadi Table” came to be…

The name Assadi Table is kind of funny because if you’ve been to our house and sat at our table, your bottom might get stuck to the bench when you try to get up (from glue that my children used in an epic art project). 😂 There is paint permanently splattered on our table from craft time with our children, and books are usually piled high. Our table is where we do life, its where conversation happens, its where we gather family and friends. Life is well-lived around the Assadi table. When I first journaled about starting a platform to share Persian recipes, stories and culture, I wrote a sentence that stuck, “Let’s break bread and gather around the table, everyone is welcome here.” That is a constant theme at our table as dinner parties overflow with people from all walks of life. Our table is steeped in stories and laughter, authenticity and vulnerability, prayer, hopes and dreams. Assadi Table felt right because it described our own table. It’s messy and beautiful and nuanced, full of depth and complexity and exactly where we want to be.