Herbs & Spices

This rice dish is based on one of the most famous Persian polos (pilaf), known as sabzi polo.

You can serve these flatbreads as is or wrapped around a filling.

Fresh and candied ginger team up to make an uplifting, zesty treat that can be prepared in any season. This quick yet impressive dessert lends itself to endless reincarnations, using various dried fruits and citrus zests, or even cocoa for chocolate lovers—see the recipes that follow for ideas!

My love for Asian food is never-ending, and this easy, quick chicken meatball creation is a favorite. The secret here is to steam the meatballs so they remain tender and succulent. Searing briefly afterward adds a wonderfully caramelized crust without overcooking.

This brittle recipe is a riff on an Iranian candy known as sohan. Its snappy texture and fragrant flavor pair well with bitter tea.

The fruit-to-sugar ratio in this marmalade recipe makes it not too sweet and you can really taste the grapefruit.

Cauliflower might not be a traditional ingredient in larb recipes, but the toasted rice powder is. 

Given my very high regard for a grilled naked lamb chop, all juicy and charred, when I do go for something more elaborate, it's got to be worth it. This dish is. Here, the meat is coated in toasted whole spices—fennel, coriander, and cumin seeds—that have been very lightly crushed. The seeds retain their texture, giving the meat both a heady scent and a good crunch. For serving, a tahini-lemon sauce adds a rich nuttiness, while a dash of sumac provides its berrylike tartness.

With fewer eggs than the typical frittata, this Persian egg dish is the ultimate clean-out-the-herb-drawer meal.

At Moneygun in Chicago, they make this hot toddy in a French press. It's the perfect answer to what to drink on a chilly night.

These fry-like chickpea fritters are best enjoyed hot, while their centers still have a custardy texture.

Not only is this immunity-boosting chicken soup just as comforting as your grandma’s, it's also gluten-free, thanks to spiralized zucchini “noodles.”

If you find yourself reaching for a cocktail, then suddenly remember you’re doing Dry January, make a batch of fire cider, then turn it into an uplifting tonic.

Often called kosher-style dill pickles, these are quick to make. Use either small whole cucumbers or cut larger ones into quarters. For an additional interesting flavor, tuck a small dried hot red pepper into each jar.

This simple smoothie gets a bolt of caffeine from matcha and a dose of protein from yogurt. The combo of yogurt, mango, and matcha results in a tartly refreshing smoothie.