| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Mar 20 2010 : 08:51:47 AM
Today is not only the first day of spring, but it is the Persian New Year, Nowruz. For over 3,000 years Persians have been celebrating the first day of spring as their new year. It is very important to celebrate the exact moment of the spring equinox. Here in IL that is at 12:38 p.m.
I have given the history of Nowruz before if you are interested to learn more this is the link:
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=18793
I spent all afternoon yesterday preparing a green bean and rice dish with beef stew meat. The New Years celebration is two full weeks long. We just finished coloring eggs (part of the tradition). We will be jumping over a small candle soon to burn away our bad, grumpy feelings from winter and dining on a fresh herb kuku (egg casserole), cucumber & mint salad, noon (Persian bread) and finishing up with tea and walnut cookies. Tonight will be leftovers since the cook here is pooped!
I am posting the Nan-e gerdui, Walnut Cookie recipe, because it is delicious & simple. Only 4 ingredients, a real rarity for Iranian recipes! These cookies are more a cross between a candy & cookie to me. The ingredients are easily found in everyone's pantry. If you get a chance, make a batch today & enjoy with tea!
Walnut Cookies
Makes 20 cookies
Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees
5 egg yolks
3/4 confectioners sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups chopped walnut
Put egg yolks in mixer and beat until thick and yellow. With a wooden spoon, mix in remaining ingredients. Drop by rounded teaspoon full onto a well greased or silicone lined cookie sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes, then carefully remove to a cooling rack. Enjoy with a nice hot cup of tea! Nushd-e Jan! (Nourish your soul).
Happy New Year everyone!
Dawn in IL |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 8:56:55 PM
Reading your post just made me hungry for a cookie! I haven't made any of the recipes with rose water yet but I just bought another bottle, so I'll have to try one. I love learning about other cultures--especially cultures which have foods and traditions unique only to them.
cindy
"Dog is my co-pilot"
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 5:41:00 PM
I'm so glad you liked them! If you ever have a recipe that just calls for a bunch of egg whites, this is a quick & easy way to use the yolks up too.
Dawn in IL |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 12:01:20 AM
Umm, umm...the cookies turned out very sweet and light. I think I had too much of the egg white mixed with the yolks, but they still tasted great. the eggs I used didn't want to separate very easily. Now the whole house smells wonderful. thank you for sharing about the Persian New Year and for a delicious recipe.
"Dog is my co-pilot"
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Mar 30 2010 : 9:52:43 PM
Dawn--darn it! I forgot to buy walnuts at the store. I think I'll run to the store right now before I forget!
"Dog is my co-pilot"
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Mar 29 2010 : 7:10:28 PM
Cindy, please let me know how your walnut cookies turn out. We loved them and my husband is very, very picky about food.
Thanks for the compliment Channah, hugs back to you!
Dawn in IL |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Mar 29 2010 : 03:48:48 AM
What a beautiful ritual. Some cultures are so rich in their traditions. I loved the New Year's message from your cousin. And I'll try making the walnut cookies tonight. Hope you're having a happy Noruz.
Cindy |
| maggie14 |
Posted - Mar 26 2010 : 11:18:36 PM
Very beautiful Dawn!! Thank you soo much for sharing!
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Friendship is not something that can be bought, it is earned. |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Mar 25 2010 : 6:17:08 PM
Here you go Carla, my Haft Seen is quite modest compared to my husband's families. We had fun E-mailing pictures and sending New Years wishes to one another.
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| phonelady |
Posted - Mar 25 2010 : 07:05:10 AM
Well Dawn,
Did you get to take a picture of your table?
A long long time ago spring time was the celebration of the new year [even though it wasn't called that] because it was, if your family or clan made it through "the starving time". People went without greens towards the end of winter and where short the benefits of green plants [and maybe whatever else they had run out of].
I always think of Spring as the time of coming alive. We're coming out of our closed up huts and plants are coming up out of the cold brown ground.
Happy Spring [and New Year!]
Carla
"You shot it Tarzan-
You eat it."
Dave Ramsey |
| maggie14 |
Posted - Mar 23 2010 : 08:33:53 AM
It is very beautiful Dawn!
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Friendship is not something that can be bought, it is earned. |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Mar 23 2010 : 05:04:13 AM
We received this New Year's message from my husbands cousin, I thought it was beautiful. I forgot to mention that according to the Persian calendar, the year is now 1389!
Dawn in IL
_____________
Happy Noruz
There comes a point in our life when we realize:
Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
And who always will.
So, let us don't worry about people from our past, There was a reason why they didn't make it to our future.
Love those around you, Greet them and wish happiest New Year to everyone you don't want to lose in 1389.
LOVE MAKES LIFE BEAUTIFUL
May the joy of the season brings you and those who are dear and near to you much health, prosperity and happiness this Noruz and many Noruz beyond.
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| maggie14 |
Posted - Mar 22 2010 : 2:53:40 PM
that is soo coool Dawn!! Thank you soo much for sharing!
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Friendship is not something that can be bought, it is earned. |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Mar 20 2010 : 09:52:17 AM
Thanks for the good year wishes! I love jumping over the candle (our version of a small fire) too! I really feel much happier after I do it.
I forgot to add that my table is all done too. If I get a chance, I'll put a picture on here of it.
My kuku is cooking, my pistachio soup is warming up and it is time to make my cucumber/mint salad. My wonderful Persian husband has been by my side all morning chopping away at herbs. He does a much better job at that then I do! We are having a wonderful and happy holiday. Hard to believe it is the first day of spring with all the snow coming down, yes snow, and the chilly temps. We did have a pre-spring weather here all week so I can't complain.
Dawn celebrating in IL |
| Annika |
Posted - Mar 20 2010 : 09:06:59 AM
Dawn, Happy Persian New Years to you and your family! The Nan-e gerdui looks wonderful
...my thighs DO NOT thank you lol!
Enjoy the beautiful spring time with your family and friends!!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Palouse Prairie Girls Chapter
http://palouseprairiegirls.blogspot.com/
http://prairiegirlsjournal.blogspot.com/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Mar 20 2010 : 09:06:46 AM
Dawn - how cool, thank you for sharing this. I love the idea that the new year starts with spring - that is how I feel. And also the jumping over the candle to burn away bad, grumpy feelings - there is a tradition that really makes sense!!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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