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Home » Podcast Episodes

040 A Primer on Persian Culture with Nazli Bashi

Last Modified: Jul 24, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links

I’m so grateful to welcome Nazli, an Iranian-born Australian today. She shared with me a recipe for Lamb and Lentil Kofte (also spelled Kofta or Kafta) , a combination of ground meat, seasonings, herbs, rice, and lentils molded into a ball gently cooked in a lovely tomato, turmeric, and onion sauce. 

Some of us may be tempted to refer to this dish as a variation on meatballs… except for the Kafta’s traditionally massive size. In fact, as Nazli shares, in the region of Tabriz, women sometimes even cook entire chickens in their kofta! 

Nazli also discusses a wartime childhood, the beauty of the landscape in Iran, and the ancient Persian culture that Iranians share with many other nations. 

A final word about this episode, I would like to note that it is heavily edited. Welcome, Nazli.

Highlights

  • Driving through the mountains to the Caspian Sea
  • Visiting the ancient cities of the Persian Empire
  • The history of the Zorastrianism religion
  • Educating me: Persian / Arab / Iranian
  • The devastating war that shaped Nazli's childhood
  • Celebrating Nowruz
  • One Kofte that can serve 20 people (with a chicken inside!)
  • Memories of her mother preparing a meal from the floor

Listen to Nazli Now

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Nazli's Storied Recipe: Koofteh Tabrizi (Persian Meatballs)

Koofteh Tabrizi {"Persian Meatballs"}

More Guests of Persian Heritage

  • 140 Why This Revolution in Iran Can Succeed with Swarnika & Saeid
  • 056 What is Home? with Haniyeh Nikoo

More Persian Recipes

  • Hyderabadi Mutton Biryani Recipe (Lamb Biryani)
  • platter of grilled beef and lamb kofta with a dollop of mint garlic yogurt sauce and garnished with mint and lemon peel and lemon wedges and a sprinkle of zaatar
    What is Kofta? 27 Worldwide Kofta Recipes To Make At Home
  • golden chicken leg quarter rests in an iranian walnut pomegranate stew topped with lovely backlit pomegranate arils
    Khoresh Fesenjān {Persian Walnut Pomegranate Chicken Stew}
  • Kofteh Tabrizi: Persian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

How to Contact GUEST

Website: www.parionazi.com

Instagram: instagram.com/parionazi

Pinterest: pinterest.com/nazpar

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Welcome, Friend!

I’m Becky Hadeed, a mother to 4, curious home cook, lover of extraordinary light, and host of The Storied Recipe Podcast. I consider it a great honor that my guests entrust me with their stories and allow me photograph and share their most treasured family recipes.

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dark and moody photo of Becky Hadeed kneading arepas dough

Welcome, Friend!

I’m Becky Hadeed, a mother to 4, curious home cook, lover of extraordinary light, and host of The Storied Recipe Podcast. I consider it a great honor that my guests entrust me with their stories and allow me photograph and share their most treasured family recipes.

More About Me ->

Most Popular Recipes

  • two slices of chewy golden nian gao on pink plate
    Baked Nian Gao: Glutinous Rice Cake (with Sticky Rice Flour)
  • hand holds flaky spiraled roti paratha (aka roti canai in malaysia) above lush green foliage.
    How to Make Flaky Roti Paratha (Malaysian Roti Canai)
  • pollo frito puerto rican fried chicken with no flour in basket lined with red checked napkin
    Pollo Frito: Puerto Rican Fried Chicken (Without Flour)
  • delicate white dish holds fish cooked in tomato sauce, topped with gently caramelized onons, dill and parsley
    Ukrainian Red Fish in Tomato Sauce

Follow in Your Favorite Player

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts

Listen to the Latest

Featured Episodes

  • 058 "I Wanted Something Different" with Juan Salazar of La Coop Coffee
  • 022 "I am Piotr's Granddaughter" with Lydia Cottrell
  • 019 "We Were Not Leprosy" with Suwanee Lennon
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