Does Iran have the best food in the world? I went to Qom to find out! 🇮🇷

walnuts

🥗Healthier: pecans

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Pecans provide a similar texture and flavor, while sunflower seeds are more economical.

saffron

🥗Healthier: turmeric

💰Cheaper: paprika

Turmeric can mimic the color, while paprika is more affordable.

rosewater

🥗Healthier: orange blossom water

💰Cheaper: vanilla extract

Orange blossom water offers a floral note, while vanilla is widely available.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is a healthier fat alternative, while margarine is often less expensive.

Visit a local shop to learn about Sohan, a sweet treat.

Observe the mixing of flour, butter, sugar, and rose water in large vats.

Watch saffron being added to the mixture.

Note that the mixture is heated for two hours on heaters underneath the vats.

After heating, the mixture is hammered out into a thin sheet until it becomes brittle.

Pistachios are added to the Sohan before it cools.

Sample two types of Sohan, one with pistachios in the middle, and describe the texture and flavor.

Meet a local family for a traditional lunch.

Observe the preparation of a soup called 'Dizi' cooked in a clay pot with cabbage.

Learn that the Dizi was slow-cooked overnight.

Enjoy the Dizi with bread, noting how soft the bread becomes in the soup.

Taste a pickled side dish called 'Torshi' made with cabbage, carrot, and eggplant, and learn how to eat it with vinegar.

Identify another dish called 'Kooid' made with beans, meat, tomatoes, and potatoes.

Experience a refreshing drink made with yogurt, water, and salt after the meal.

Enjoy tea and cakes after lunch with the family.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens