Can we live better, healthier lives, and in some cases, maybe even extend our lives by enjoying the medicinal properties of Persian spices in foods? Maybe!
Join the Beats as they explore the depths of knowledge in an insightful chat with Dr. Mahtab Jafari and explore Persian spices highlighted for medicinal health benefits include saffron, turmeric, cinnamon and rose. Dr. Mahtab is a doctor, a professor, a research scientist, an author, and a director… and so much more. She currently teaches Life 101 in the School of Pharmacy at UCI (see complete bio here in the reference section of the show notes).
Dr. Jafari does research in a lab studying fruit flies.
Fun factoid: we share 75% of our disease genes with fruit flies!
Philosophies - as long as there are no inherent dietary deficiencies, you can get what you need in terms of vitamins and minerals from proper nutrition in fresh, healthy food sources!
The spices, herbs and fresh produce, beans, and legumes used in Persian foods provide great health benefits.
References:
Dr. Mahtab Jafari
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines a spice as an “aromatic vegetable substance, in the whole, broken, or ground form,” whose significant function in food is “seasoning rather than nutrition” and from which “no portion of any volatile oil or other flavoring principle has been removed” (Food and Drug Administration 2007:205-208).
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes
Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food!
Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Bita’s recipe for Tahcheen
Bita’s recipe for Adas Polo
Bita’s recipe for Loobia Polo
Bita’s recipe for Yazdi Cakes
Beata’s Recipe Links:
Persian Jeweled Tahchin – BeatsEats
Giti Joon's Famous Tacheen Recipe – BeatsEats
Lubia Polo for the Persian New Year Sezdeh be Dar Picnic
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio
Modern Additions to a Traditional Persian Breakfast
Spring Herbs in Persian Cuisine
Extra Sweet Nowruz with ZoZo Baking
BONUS Episode - We’re going to the Taste Awards!
Uncorking Persian Wine with Maysara
Healthy Persian Cooking Techniques
Yalda 2023; Creating Identity through Traditions New and Old
Fall Flavors for a Persian-Inspired Thanksgiving
Preserving Herbs For Persian Cooking With Ginain
Adventures in Persian Torshi Pickling
Diving into the Aromatic World of Persian Jams
A Journey into the Persian Harvest Festival: Mehregan
Exploring Mirza Ghasemi
A Walkthrough of Ghormeh Sabzi with Jian Ghomeshi
Back to Basics: Unlocking the Secrets of Persian Rice
Unlocking the Secrets of Persian Cooking: Pantry Essentials
Sharing Culture through Food: A food journey from Iran to Italy with Author Saghar Setareh
Traditional Meets Modern: Discovering Iranian-American Cuisine
Savoring the Flavors of Iran with Chef and Author Nasim Alikhani of Sofreh
Navigating Identity through the Art of Persian Cooking, A Conversation with Author Homa Dashtaki
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