Persian Pasta Sauce Food

KHORESH BADEMJAN (PERSIAN EGGPLANT SAUCE)

Steps:

• Cut eggplant into quarters and then diagonally into 1/2-inch slices. Sprinkle liberally with salt, set in colander in sink.
• Set aside 1 tablespoon onion for garnish.
• In a large skillet, cook onion in olive oil until golden brown. Add meat and brown. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg and enough water to cover. Let simmer until meat is tender.
• Meanwhile, rinse eggplant and dry with paper towels. Brown slices on each side in a hot skillet sprayed with olive oil spray or a dab of oil. Lay over meat. and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer until eggplant and tomato are tender, about 10 minutes.
• While meat is continuing to cook, place remaining onion in a small pan with a little olive oil and cook until soft. Add minced garlic and mint and cook 1 minute.
• Turn meat mixture into a serving dish and top with onion mixture.
• Serve with steamed rice.

MAAST-O-KHIAR - PERSIAN CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• Beat yogurt well until smooth.
• If yogurt is too thick, add a bit of water while beating.
• If fresh mint is used, it should be finely chopped.
• Add mint, grated onion and cucumber, salt and pepper to yogurt and mix well.
• Leave in the refrigerator for two hours, then serve.

PERSIAN MACARONI - SPAGHETTI WITH SPICED BEEF SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large frying pan, heat 1 tbsp of oil on medium heat, and add in onions. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, until they turn translucent and start to color a bit.
• Add in garlic and curry powder, and sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant.
• Add in beef, and season with 1 tsp salt and freshly cracked pepper. Use your spoon to break it up into smaller pieces. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until all the beef is browned.
• Add in tomato paste, and stir through for 1-2 minutes, until it starts to darken.
• Add in tomato sauce, 1 cup of water, 1/2 tsp salt, and some more cracked pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil.
• Once boiling, reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• While the sauce is cooking, bring 5-6 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Once boiling, add in 1 tbsp of salt and the noodles. Cook according to package directions, until the pasta is "al dente"." Drain in a colander and set aside.
• Peel the potatoes, and slice them crosswise into 1/2 cm rounds.
• In the same pot you cooked the pasta in, wipe it down until completely dry, and add in 1 tbsp of oil. Arrange potato slices so that they cover the entire bottom of the pot.
• Add pasta back to the pot, then the meat sauce on top. Stir to combine, and make sure every pasta strand is coated in sauce.
• Place a paper towel on the pot, and cover with lid. Let cook on medium heat for 7-8 minutes, then reduce to low, and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
• Once done cooking, remove paper towel and lid, stir to combine, and serve with salad!