Best Persian Marinade With Pomegranate Molasses And Mint Recipes

GRILLED POMEGRANATE-GLAZED CHICKEN WITH TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine cumin, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, paprika, allspice, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and cayenne. Place chicken in a large bowl and toss with spice mixture, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, thyme, and 6 of the chopped garlic cloves. Let rest for 30 minutes to an hour at room temperature or as long as overnight in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before grilling.
• Prepare the grill for indirect heat. For a gas grill, set one side to high. For a charcoal grill, mound coals on one side, leaving the other side empty. Brush off garlic and herbs and put chicken pieces on the unlighted or empty portion of the grill. Close cover and cook until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes a side. Transfer to a plate and brush generously with 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses.
• Mash remaining garlic with a pinch of salt until it forms a paste. Toss the tomatoes with garlic paste, remaining 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons pomegranate molasses and basil leaves. Season with additional salt, to taste. Serve alongside chicken.

PERSIAN MARINADE WITH POMEGRANATE MOLASSES AND MINT

Steps:

• Using a small sharp knife, extract the 6 or so irregular-shaped seeds from the discardable cases of the cardamom pods. Heat a frying pan to a moderate heat and dry-fry the cardamom, cumin seeds and cinnamon. Grind the toasted spices in a mortar & pestle or spice grinder . Heat the oil in the same pan and add the onion and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes or so, until softened. Add the lemon zest with the ground spices and cook for 30 seconds. Take off the heat and add the pomegranate molasses, mint and water. Allow to cool before use.
• After grilling, add the juice of the lemons and 4 tablespoons herbs such as parsley, cilantro, and/or dill.

PERSIAN TAMARIND FISH

Steps:

• Put the barberries in a bowl and cover with warm water. Let soak for 30 minutes.
• Rinse fish under cold water and pat dry. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides, brush all over with oil, and place fillets on a baking sheet. Refrigerate until ready to use, up to 2 hours uncovered, or up to 24 hours covered with plastic wrap.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until they start to darken at the edges, 7 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook until dark brown and reduced to half the original volume, about 20 minutes.
• Add garlic, almonds, drained barberries and 2 tablespoons tamarind to pan. (If using cranberries instead of barberries, add an additional tablespoon of tamarind.) Cook over medium heat until fragrant, 5 minutes. Stir in herbs, and salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, heat oven to 375 degrees.
• Press barberry mixture on top of fillets. Drizzle with more oil and bake until fish is just cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter. Top with any barberry mixture that fell off the fish, sprinkle with more fresh herbs, and serve with lime wedges.

IRANIAN / PERSIAN SALAD SHIRAZI

Steps:

• Mix tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers, olive oil, lemon juice, mint, dill, sumac, salt, and pepper together in a bowl.

SLOW-ROAST PERSIAN LAMB WITH POMEGRANATE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. In a small bowl, mix the molasses with the cumin, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic. Scatter the onion over a casserole dish or a deep roasting tin. Place the lamb on top of the onions. Pour the glaze over the lamb. Rinse the bowl out with about 200ml water, then pour it around - not over - the lamb.
• Cover the dish with a lid or the tin with a large piece of foil. Roast the lamb, undisturbed, for 3 hrs, then remove the lid or foil and continue to roast for 30 mins to give the lamb colour. When the lamb has had its time, pour off the juices, remove as much fat as possible, then pour the juices back over the lamb.
• Just before serving, gently toss all the salad ingredients together. Serve the lamb with its sauce, the salad and some warmed flatbreads.

BRISKET WITH POMEGRANATE-WALNUT SAUCE AND PISTACHIO GREMOLATA

Steps:

• Marinate and cook the brisket:
• Season brisket all over with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large 2-gallon resealable plastic bag or bowl (use roasting pan only if necessary).
• Purée garlic, walnuts, honey, and 1 cup pomegranate juice in a blender until very smooth. Add remaining 2 cups pomegranate juice and blend until smooth. Pour marinade over brisket. Seal bag or cover bowl tightly with foil. Chill, turning occasionally, at least 24 hours or up to 48 hours.
• Transfer brisket and marinade to roasting pan, cover tightly with foil, and let sit at room temperature 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 275°F. Bake brisket, covered, until meat shreds easily with 2 forks, about 5 hours; if meat is still tough, continue cooking, covered, 1 hour.
• Transfer brisket to a cutting board and cover loosely with foil. Transfer cooking liquid to a saucepan and spoon off fat from surface. Cook over medium-high heat, skimming off fat and foam as it surfaces, until reduced by two-thirds (you should have about 2 cups sauce). Season with salt and pepper if necessary.
• Make the gremolata:
• Pulse mint, pistachios, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Drizzle in oil, pulsing until just combined (do not overprocess).
• To serve, slice brisket against the grain and transfer to a platter. Spoon sauce over and top with gremolata.
• Do Ahead
• Brisket can be cooked, without slicing, 2 days ahead. Cover and chill; warm before slicing. Sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.