Diversify Your Flavor Palate With These 9 Persian Dishes

Hearty, fresh and complex in its flavor profile, this Persian version of a beef stew will be as filling as it is tasty. Pair it with some white basmati rice, and you will have a meal to write home about.

You have Persian beef stew and now Persian meatballs, except it's aromatic, fragrant and full of herbs. Not only do they look pretty aesthetic, but they go well with most side dishes.

There are plenty of meat dishes in this cuisine if your meals tend to revolve around meat as a protein source. With an unexpected addition of some dried fruits, this chicken, like other Persian dishes on this list, has a sophisticated flavor profile.

A different take on stuffed shells or bell peppers, these stuffed onions, filled with saffron-tinged basmati rice, are a flavor bomb of a side dish or main if you add some protein. As a bonus, they are both delicious and pretty to look at.

Probably the most popular and identifiable dish on this list, saffron rice tahdig is a tasty, crispy rice dish that is also fun to cook as a family unit. Don’t forget to catch the flip on camera.

This pomegranate molasses and walnut stew is sweet and sour and has a hint of a nutty flavor. Typically, chicken is used as a protein, but you can easily swap it for beef or a vegetarian option.

With Persian cooking, you simply can’t go wrong with adding walnuts or pomegranates to the flavor profile. This meal is homey, satisfying and richly decadent. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and herbs, and you’ll impress any guest you cook this for.

This Persian rendition of eggplant dip is the perfect appetizer for a meal that comprises other recipes on this list. Between the fried mint, caramelized onion and complimentary flavors of garlic and bloomed saffron, you'll want to write this one down in your recipe book.

Okay, so I lied and included one dessert on this list — it’s too hard not to with all of the mouthwatering recipes. This love cake comprises some of the best flavors of the Middle East, from cardamom to rose and pistachio. It’s gorgeous, rich and the perfect dessert to round out a night of Persian flavors.