Persian Pomegranate Soup with Minced Beef
April 20, 2012
Aash Anaar or pomegranate soup, a warming, thick soup combined with fresh herbs.
As I unpack 'Pomegranate Juice' from my shopping bag and put it into the refrigerator, I told D, "Son, I am going to cook something exotic, so please, you are not to drink this".
Of course, as a teenager would normally do, especially the one who is always 'Hungry', he/she would always want to have his/her last say!
"What are you going to cook?" he asked.
"Pomegranate Soup' was my short answer.
He gave me that 'You are kidding me' look!
This is the first time I cooked 'something' from a Novel, and not a cookbook.
Reading Marsha Mehran's Pomegranate Soup, I was drawn to the characters, storyline.
I was more into the 'happenings' in their kitchen, the feeling was surreal, the smell of chopped onions, mints, parsley, exotic spices used, a pot of soup simmering on the stove.
Imagine the exotic aroma billowing from the chimney of her character's kitchen, wafting through the sleepy town of Ballinacroagh, Ireland.
She had me at 'Pomegranate Soup'...
Hence, Pomegranate Soup it is....
I was thrilled to be able to recreate the flavours and aroma in my kitchen.
It is one of the best 'humble' soups that I have tasted.
It is light, smooth, and tangy with a burst of flavours, and the crunch of the pomegranate garnishes just 'Seal the Deal'.
Everyone, including my son who gave me that 'Are you kidding me' look, was smitten with the soup... shhh.. .. I even licked my bowl clean
Oh .. one more thing, one of the ingredients in Marsha's Pomegranate soup is Angelica Powder.
I had no clue what it was until I Googled.
Angelica Sinensis to the Persians, and it is Dong Quay to the Chinese.
A 'Female Ginseng' as it benefits women's health and well-being.
There you go, readers, it is a healthy soup too
There are a few more recipes in Marsha's Pomegranate Soup that I would love to give a go, and perhaps blog about them.
As I unpack 'Pomegranate Juice' from my shopping bag and put it into the refrigerator, I told D, "Son, I am going to cook something exotic, so please, you are not to drink this".
Of course, as a teenager would normally do, especially the one who is always 'Hungry', he/she would always want to have his/her last say!
"What are you going to cook?" he asked.
"Pomegranate Soup' was my short answer.
He gave me that 'You are kidding me' look!
This is the first time I cooked 'something' from a Novel, and not a cookbook.
Reading Marsha Mehran's Pomegranate Soup, I was drawn to the characters, storyline.
I was more into the 'happenings' in their kitchen, the feeling was surreal, the smell of chopped onions, mints, parsley, exotic spices used, a pot of soup simmering on the stove.
Imagine the exotic aroma billowing from the chimney of her character's kitchen, wafting through the sleepy town of Ballinacroagh, Ireland.
She had me at 'Pomegranate Soup'...
Hence, Pomegranate Soup it is....
I was thrilled to be able to recreate the flavours and aroma in my kitchen.
It is one of the best 'humble' soups that I have tasted.
It is light, smooth, and tangy with a burst of flavours, and the crunch of the pomegranate garnishes just 'Seal the Deal'.
Everyone, including my son who gave me that 'Are you kidding me' look, was smitten with the soup... shhh.. .. I even licked my bowl clean
Oh .. one more thing, one of the ingredients in Marsha's Pomegranate soup is Angelica Powder.
I had no clue what it was until I Googled.
Angelica Sinensis to the Persians, and it is Dong Quay to the Chinese.
A 'Female Ginseng' as it benefits women's health and well-being.
There you go, readers, it is a healthy soup too
There are a few more recipes in Marsha's Pomegranate Soup that I would love to give a go, and perhaps blog about them.
I love Middle Eastern food and that soup looks amazing! Gorgeous flavors.
ReplyDeletecheers,
Rosa
You had me intrigued ... dong quay with pomegranate and lemon juice.
ReplyDeleteJust googled and landed in your blog. You have an amazing space and lots of lovely recipes. Happy to follow you. Please visit my space when time permits.
ReplyDeleteWow! Cooking from a novel? That must be a great one! The dish and photos look lovely as always. I really like your watermark, it's so subtle! Very nice!
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with middle eastern food and this looks really appetizing! I'm impressed that you cooked this soup from a novel! Another gorgeous photography, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteDon't be too hard on your son as I probably would have given you a similar look. ;) The only thing I could think of when hearing Pomegranate Soup was a cold sweet soup, maybe but nothing as hearty as the actual one. Lovely, just like the presentation!
ReplyDeleteI did a quick search about the book and find it interesting that there really are recipes included!
Hehe this is brilliant - a soup from a novel :-). It's a whole new trend in literature and cooking. I don't know the novel, but the soup must be amazing, with all these flavors. I think I might try something similar.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, beautiful pic, as always :-)
Rosa
ReplyDeleteIndeed a gorgeous flavours soup :D
TasteHongKong
Same here.... very intriguing :)
Zareena
Thank you for dropping by my humble kitchen...
I am hopping to your space now :)
Sylvia
When i read the book... I was more into the way food is prepared, trying very hard to imagine the taste ;)
The watermark was designed by my daughter... :)
Nami
There are recipes in the book... And I am a recipe junkie ;)
T and Teacake
Thank you :)
My son loves to tease me when I am cooking something other than his favourite spicy food;)... He enjoys eating and experimenting all the same :D
Cooking Rookie
I enjoy promegranate either fresh or in dessert but not savoury... this is new to me too ;)
I am surprised to see dong guai used in Persian soup!
ReplyDeletefabulous looking soup
ReplyDeletefabulous soup.awesome
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Pictures. Never heard of this soup but scrolling through the ingredients, I knw I will love it. ..especially with those pretty ruby jewels!
ReplyDeletetigerfish
ReplyDelete:D
Torviewtoronto
Thank you :)
Achu's Amma's kitchen
Welcome to my humble blog :D
Tanvi
Thank you Tanvi :D