Modern Persian Food

Summer is picnic season, and we're sharing how to bring Persian flavors, traditions, and hospitality to your next outdoor gathering. Whether you're planning a casual afternoon at the park, a beach day with friends, or a family get-together, this episode is packed with ideas to help you create a memorable Persian-inspired picnic experience.
 
We discuss everything from choosing the perfect picnic setup and packing essentials to incorporating meaningful cultural touches that celebrate Persian food and identity. Along the way, we share our favorite picnic-friendly dishes, including herb-packed kuku wraps, crispy kotlet, salad olivieh sandwiches, fresh fruit kebabs, and other easy-to-pack favorites that travel well and taste even better outdoors.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• How to plan a beautiful and functional picnic setup
• Essential items to pack for a stress-free outdoor gathering
• Persian foods that are perfect for picnics and summer entertaining
• Refreshing Persian drinks to enjoy outdoors
• Ways to incorporate Persian culture and traditions into your gatherings
• Why outdoor meals create meaningful connections and lasting memories
So grab your picnic blanket, pack your favorite Persian snacks, and don't forget the backgammon set!
If you enjoy the Modern Persian Food podcast, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who loves Persian food, outdoor entertaining, and summer adventures.
Recipes referenced:



All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes
 
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Check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
 
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.
 
Opening and closing music composed by Amir Etemadzadeh, www.amirschoolofmusic.com


Podcast production by Alvarez Audio

Ever walked into a Persian restaurant or market and didn't know what to order or where to start? This episode is for you!
 
In the first half of the episode, Bita and Beata share some of their recent Persian restaurant adventures — including visits to beloved spots like Berenjak and Eyval — while reminiscing about favorite meals they've enjoyed together over the years. Each co-host reveals their must-order dishes, table essentials, and the foods you absolutely shouldn't skip the next time you dine at a Persian restaurant.
 
In the second half, the conversation heads to the Persian market! Bita and Beata share favorite grocery store finds, pantry staples, hidden gems, and stories from their Persian market adventures together in Southern California.
 
Whether you're brand new to Persian food or looking to deepen your appreciation for it, this episode will give you the confidence and inspiration to explore Persian restaurants and markets like an insider.
 
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts — and if you try something new, tag us on social media! ✨
 
Relevant Podcast Episodes:
Episode 97: Guide to Ordering in a Persian Restaurant
Episode 121: Top 5 Items to Shop for in a Persian Market
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found here: Episodes
 
Restaurants and Markets Referenced:
Berenjak
Eyval
Aria Kitchen
SOFREH NYC
Middle East Cafe
Jasmin Market - San Rafael, CA
Samiramis Imports - San Francisco
Super Irvine
Mission Ranch Markets
 
#PersianFood #PersianCuisine #Iranianfood #PersianRestaurants #persianmarkets
 
Sign up for the email newsletter here!
 
Check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
 
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.
 
Opening and closing music composed by Amir Etemadzadeh, www.amirschoolofmusic.com
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio

In this cozy episode of Modern Persian Food, Bita and Beata share the dishes they've been making on repeat—comforting, go-to recipes that keep them grounded and connected to home.
They also do a fun on-air tasting of some current favorites, with real-time reactions and plenty of flavor inspiration along the way. Bita shares exciting news about a new project she's been working on, and Beata confesses to her late-night indulgent snacking habits.
It's a warm, honest episode all about the foods we return to again and again.
In this episode:
Recipes and meals on repeat

A live taste test of favorite dishes

Bita's new project update

Beata's late-night snack confessions

Connect with us:
We love hearing what you're cooking on repeat—send us a message or tag us with your favorites!
 
#PersianFood #PersianCuisine #Iranianfood #comfortfood
 
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes
 
Sign up for the email newsletter here!
 
Check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
 
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.
 
Opening and closing music composed by Amir Etemadzadeh, www.amirschoolofmusic.com
 
Podcact prodcution by Alvarez Audio

In today's episode, we're taking a step back from the noise of the world and reconnecting in the most familiar way we know how—through food.
With everything feeling a bit heavy and unpredictable lately, we wanted to keep things simple and grounding. This episode is a casual kitchen catch-up, where we share what's been cooking in our homes, the flavors we're leaning into, and how food continues to anchor us through it all.
Beata shares how ground beef has been on repeat in her kitchen lately—showing up in a variety of family-friendly meals and comforting favorites. She talks about the realities of feeding cross-cultural kids and the ongoing effort to keep Persian flavors present and meaningful in everyday meals. She's also thinking about how to streamline some of her go-to recipes to make them even more approachable for busy days.
Meanwhile, Bita joon has been spending time in the kitchen baking and fine-tuning her breakfast game. She's experimenting with recipes that bring more balance to the start of the day, including a savory twist on a classic morning favorite that's both nourishing and satisfying.
We also chat about ideas we've been playing around with, what's inspiring us right now, and a few dishes we're excited to try next.
Whether you're cooking every day or just trying to get something on the table, we hope this episode feels like a cozy check-in—and maybe sparks a little inspiration in your own kitchen.
Thanks so much for being here with us.
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes
 
Sign up for the email newsletter here!
 
Recipe links:
Persian Haleem Recipe (Oat & Chicken Porridge) | Nourishing & Satisfying – BeatsEats
Giti Joon's Famous Tacheen Recipe – BeatsEats
Persian Jeweled Tahchin – BeatsEats
Salad Shirazi: A Refreshing Persian Cucumber-Tomato Salad – BeatsEats
 
Check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
 
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.
 
Opening and closing music composed by Amir Etemadzadeh, www.amirschoolofmusic.com
 
Podcast Production by Alvarez Audio

As we welcome Nowruz this year, we do so with a heavy heart. And yet, even in difficult times, we feel called to honor and commemorate this ancient, beautiful tradition. Nowruz reminds us that light returns, spring follows winter, and renewal is always possible.
For Episode 186 of the Modern Persian Food podcast, we are revisiting one of our most beloved and foundational episodes — Episode 126 — where we walk through every part of the Persian New Year season and its rich cultural meaning.
Nowruz (also spelled Norooz) literally translates to "new day." Celebrated for over 3,000 years and rooted in the rhythms of the spring equinox, it is the biggest holiday of the year in Persian culture — a time of rebirth, reflection, and reconnection.
In this replay, Beata and Bita cover the whole 2+ week celebration, including:
✨ Khaneh Takooni (Spring Cleaning)
The ritual "shaking of the house" — a deep seasonal cleaning that symbolizes clearing out stagnant energy and preparing for a fresh start.
🔥 Chaharshanbe Suri
The fiery festival held on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz. Jumping over flames represents releasing the past year's hardships and stepping into health and vitality.
🌱 Growing Sabzeh
Sprouting wheat or lentils in advance of the holiday, symbolizing renewal, growth, and the greening of the earth.
🪞 Setting the Haft-Seen Table
The iconic symbolic table display featuring seven items that begin with the Persian letter "S" — each representing hopes for the new year such as health, abundance, love, patience, and rebirth.
🌿 Sizdeh Bedar
The joyful picnic day on the 13th day of the new year, when families gather outdoors, release their sabzeh back to nature, and close out the holiday season in community and celebration.
Even in times of uncertainty, Nowruz calls us back to intention, beauty, and togetherness. This replay is a reminder of our shared heritage and the resilience woven into these traditions.
Whether you are new to Nowruz or have celebrated your whole life, we hope this episode brings comfort, inspiration, and a sense of connection.
🌸 Eid-e Shoma Mobarak — Happy New Year.
Modern Persian Food podcast references:
Episode 22:  Norooz Part 1
Episode 23:  Norooz Part 2
Episode 24:  Norooz Part 3
Episode 73: Growing Sabzeh with Naz Deravian
Episode 75:  Norooz Haft Seen
Episode 64: Aash Reshteh
 
Beata's Norooz/Nowruz Persian New Year and Festive Crafts – BeatsEats
Beata's Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup and Asheh Reshteh – Persian Noodle Soup – Original Recipe Post
Beata's Persian Frittata Koo Koo Sabzi
 
All Modern Persian Food podcast episodes can be found at: Episodes
 
Sign up for the email newsletter here!
 
Check us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
 
Subscribe+ to the Modern Persian Food podcast on your favorite podcast player, and share this episode with a friend.
 
Opening and closing music composed by Amir Etemadzadeh, www.amirschoolofmusic.com
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio