Bita’s Persian Spice Mix | Advieh
Advieh is a term used for Persian cooking. Translated from Farsi it means spice. Interestingly enough, although most every one who makes Iranian dishes uses a Persian spice mix (advieh) no one seems to have a recipe for it! I created my own basic and versatile recipe.
Part of the reason that Iranian home chefs don’t have a recipe to make advieh is that Persian and middle eastern markets sell it packaged and pre-mixed. I consulted with our regional specialists, my mom and Bob’s mom. They went to their relatives and friends – there are so many versions. The ingredients in advieh depend on the region in Iran and on the family. This being the case I decided to mix up my own blend, be a pioneer in our family, and make my own Persian advieh.
In sticking with Oven Hug’s modern, fast and easy, Iranian-American style of cooking, I choose spices that are easy to come by and that pair well with both sweet and savory foods.
Spices in my mix:
- cinnamon
- cardamom
- cumin
- turmeric
- dried rose petals (optional)
A favorite way to use this spice blend is on mixed rice dishes such as lentil rice (in Farsi, Adas Polo), tomato-potato rice (Estamboli polo), and Loobia Polo| Persian Green Bean Rice. This spice blend warms up savory, comforting dishes creating aromatic, delicious meals that remind me of my grandmothers cooking.
Other ingredients folks use in their blends:
- dried and ground sour lime
- cloves
- ginger
- coriander
Having a spice mix is a quick and easy way to add zest to any dish. A few ideas include sprinkling Persian advieh on salads, cooked veggies, pasta, or eggs. This Persian spice mix is excellent mixed into soups and stews. If you are feeling adventurous, sprinkle it on puddings or ice cream for an exotic dessert.
Once you have blended a container of Persian spices the possibilities are endless!
