Nush-e Jan
From The Joy of Cooking by Pari Ardalan Malek
Summertime is here and it’s a good time to make some food for picnics!
Persian Beef Cutlet
Preparation time: 2 hours
Servings: 15 medium-size patties
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 3 medium potatoes; 1 potato, grated; 1 medium onion, grated; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 1 egg + 1 egg yolk; ½ teaspoon turmeric; ½ teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon liquid saffron; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 2 cups bread crumbs; oil for frying
Directions:
1- Boil potatoes until thoroughly cooked (about 30 minutes), then peel.
2- Place ground beef in a large bowl, then while still warm grate potatoes on top of beef.
3- Add all remaining ingredients, except bread crumbs, and mix well, kneading thoroughly.
4- Blend mixture in a food processor for 3 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour (preferably overnight).
5- In a large frying pan, warm oil.
6- Roll meat mixture into balls (slightly larger than golf balls).
7- On a wooden cutting board, spread bread crumbs and roll balls in crumbs.
8- Flatten each ball on the board, forming into 1/3 inch thick, oblong shaped patties, with one slightly pointed side about 4 inches long (both sides should be covered with bread crumbs).
9- In the skillet, fry each cutlet until golden on both sides (about 7-8 minutes).
Note: Cutlets may be made in advance and reheated or served cold. They also freeze well. Cutlets are popular for lunch and as a mid-afternoon snack, served with fresh tarragon, mint, and basil.
Summer Berry Mousse
Preparation time: 1 hour
Servings: 10
Ingredients: 32 ounces plain yogurt, drained in cheesecloth; 1 ½ cups whipping cream; 1 ½ cups raspberries; 1 ½ cups blackberries; 2 packages unflavored gelatin; ¼ cup boiling water; 1 ½ cups crushed Graham crackers; ½ cup butter
Directions:
1- Mix crushed crackers and butter and line a greased 9-inch springform pan.
2- Whip cream and mix with thick yogurt.
3- Soften gelatin in boiling water, cool slightly, and add to the cream mixture.
4- Puree three fourths of the berries in a food processor and add the gelatin mixture.
5- Spoon out the contents of the bowl on top of the crust and even out the top.
6- Refrigerate for eight hours.
7- Remove pan ring and place on platter.
8- Garnish with additional whipping cream and berries and serve.
