I love seaweed in nearly any shape or form, and I’m always looking for recipes that go beyond the usual nori roll or wakame salad. This super-healthy hijiki salad is exactly what I’ve been looking for: fortifying, tasty, and just a little bit unique. Best of all, it’s easy to make and reheats well. Don’t [...]
Happy Norooz! Last week ushered in the two week-long Iranian new year, a time for celebration, time spent around loved ones, and sweets. Lots of sweets. Most Iranian sweets are too strong for my taste, but I can never say no to sholeh zard. Traditionally prepared as alms during religious festivals in Iran, this dish [...]
Anthony Bourdain famously quipped in Kitchen Confidential: “I don’t eat mussels in restaurants unless I know the chef, or have seen, with my own eyes, how they store and hold their mussels for service. I love mussels. But, in my experience, most cooks are less than scrupulous in their handling of them.” I’ve followed suit [...]
I used to hate green beans. Growing up, I inexplicably dreaded the loobia polo that most kids loved: an Iranian rice pilaf of green beans, browned lamb, tomatoes, and spices. It wasn’t until recently when I tried Sichuan-style dry-fried green beans that I’ve come around to loving the legume. It was the spicy, garlicy flavor [...]
Happy new year! I bet you’ve got some healthy, active resolutions lined up for 2012, right? Let me derail your plans for a minute. Don’t get me wrong, I’m just as much an advocate for mindful eating and exercise as the next Bay Arean, but moderation is key. When those tofu smoothies and kale chips [...]