Best 2 Fesenjan Iranian Special Occasion Dish Recipes

Fesenjan, a traditional Iranian dish, is a delightful combination of flavors and textures that holds a special place in Persian cuisine. Often served during special occasions and celebrations, it is a dish that brings people together and creates lasting memories. The rich, savory sauce, made from ground walnuts and pomegranate molasses, is delicately balanced with the tenderness of chicken or duck, creating a symphony of flavors that lingers on the palate. Accompanied by fragrant basmati rice, fesenjan is a dish that embodies the essence of Iranian hospitality and culinary artistry.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

FESENJAN (IRANIAN SPECIAL OCCASION DISH)

Fesenjan (Iranian Special Occasion Dish) image

I had this marvelous dish in a Mediterranean Cafe. The fragrance is wonderful and the taste sublime. There has been quite a bit of discussion on this recipe. I would like to clarify that I have had this dish only twice at one restaurant and that I have never actually made the dish. I enjoyed it so much I searched and found this recipe online, it is not original by me. I do not find the one star review helpful. That it doesn't taste like grandma's does not mean it is a bad recipe. As for the use of Garlic, I know nothing of regional Iranian dishes, but I love garlic in most anything!

Provided by KerryBnTX

Categories One Dish Meal

Time 1h15m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
2 small onions, sliced thin
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 1/2 cups walnuts, finely ground
2/3 cup pomegranate syrup
2 1/2 cups stock or 2 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons pepper
1 1/4 teaspoons saffron (optional)
2 limes, juice of
2 1/2-3 lbs bone-in poultry, of choice

Steps:

Heat butter or oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven.
Add onions and sauté until wilted and translucent.
Add garlic, cinnamon and nutmeg and sauté, stirring, for another 1-2 minutes.
Stir in walnuts, pomegranate syrup, stock, sugar, salt, pepper and saffron.
Adjust sugar and salt to taste.
Bring to a low boil and simmer 1/2 hour.
Add chicken and simmer on low heat another 30-60 minutes.
Halfway through the cooking time, add the lime juice to taste.
The sauce will thicken and darken during this cooking time, and the oil will begin to render out of the walnuts.
Add water or stock if necessary to prevent the sauce from thickening too much and scorching.
Serve with plain white rice.
NOTES Fesenjan is special occasion food in Iran.
It is traditionally made with duck or pheasant in the north of the country along the Caspian sea.
It is a thick, rich, sweet-sour dish that improves in flavor the next day.
Pomegranate syrup is available in most Middle Eastern and health food stores.
If it is unavailable, you can use an equal amount of frozen, concentrated cranberry juice.
The flavor is roughly the same.
You can use a whole bone-in chicken if you like.
Cut it into 8 serving pieces and remove most of the skin.
The bones will give the dish a richer flavor.

CHILLED TOMATO GAZPACHO

Chilled Tomato Gazpacho image

Make and share this Chilled Tomato Gazpacho recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Gay Gilmore

Categories Vegetable

Time 15m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

4 cups tomato juice
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 medium bell pepper, minced
2 teaspoons honey (optional)
1 medium cucumber, peeled seeded and minced
2 scallions, minced
1/2 lemon, juice of
1 lime, juice of
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon finely chopped basil
1 tablespoon finely chopped tarragon
1/4-1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
2 -3 tablespoons olive oil
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
cayenne, to taste
2 cups diced fresh tomatoes

Steps:

Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
Refrigerate til ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 104.6, Fat 4.9, SaturatedFat 0.7, Sodium 444.5, Carbohydrate 15.2, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 9.6, Protein 2.9

Tips:

To achieve the best flavor, use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This includes using fresh pomegranate molasses, walnuts, and chicken or duck. You can find pomegranate molasses in most Middle Eastern grocery stores, or you can make your own by simmering pomegranate juice with sugar and lemon juice.
If you don't have time to make your own pomegranate molasses, you can substitute balsamic vinegar or tamarind paste. However, these substitutes will not provide the same depth of flavor as fresh pomegranate molasses.
Make sure to toast the walnuts before using them in the fesenjan. This will bring out their flavor and make them more fragrant.
If you are using chicken, brown the chicken pieces before adding them to the fesenjan. This will help to keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
Fesenjan can be served with a variety of sides, such as rice, bread, or yogurt. It can also be used as a condiment for grilled meats or fish.

Conclusion:

Fesenjan is a delicious and versatile Persian dish that can be enjoyed on any occasion. With its bold flavors and beautiful presentation, fesenjan is sure to impress your guests. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a beginner, I encourage you to give this recipe a try. You might just be surprised at how easy it is to make this delicious dish.