Kheili Mamnoon means Thank You Very Much !

What's this? Amazon packages in Iran? How can that be? Amazon doesn't deliver here, you know.

So, I've mentioned before that we're not able to visit America at this time. So we all (especially the children) miss our familiar American items. And since sending a package directly from America to Iran is nearly impossible, we have to depend on the kindness of visitors to Iran who will bring the items to us. 

One of my husband's good friends was due to visit Qom. So, a few months before his arrival, my parents in Texas ordered gifts for us using Amazon online, having them sent to my husband's friend's address in California so that friend could put it in his own luggage and bring it on the flight here! I was so surprised that his friend and his friend's wife were generous enough to even leave the items in the original boxes instead of taking them out to make for a lighter suitcase. Wow, what a special treat that was. I'm so grateful for the people that make an effort like this.  

Speaking of special treats, another friend of mine was due to be in Qom only for a couple of days. Before she left the States she asked me if there was anything from there she could bring. It was short notice, and though I was pleasantly surprised she asked--my mind went blank at first, and then it became overwhelmed with all the possibilities as I considered the things I missed from America. I settled on asking her to bring some chocolate candy and macaroni for the kids. I figured she's bring one of two small bags of each. I was shocked to see the generous amount that she brought for us; it was amazing! Just look at this, it must have been a lot to carry! Again, we're so grateful to her for bringing smiles to our faces. She didn't even let me say thank you, but I'll say Kheili Mamnoon! 

Because my mind went blank when I was asked about what things she could bring for us, I decided to start making a list of items that we could definitely use if some kind American is able to bring things over. I don't expect anyone to bring all of these, or even any, but I figured it might help others who may one day move to Iran or bring gifts over. These are mostly items that are not available or not easily available here in Iran, especially around the Qom area (I don't know what it's like in bigger cities such as Tehran). The list includes things from ketchup to taco seasoning and kids' vitamins to mustard! Check out the entire list here.  

Of course there's no way to bring a many year supply of those items, and of course most will be used up in short time, but just to have a little taste of home is a comfort. 

So yes, of course the best things in life are free (love, friendship, and knowledge) but some good old Kit Kat and Kraft Mac N Cheese, plus the luxury of a Harry Potter book and Little House DVD are very much appreciated ! ! ! I look forward to being able to go back to America with a bunch of goodies from Iran to give out :-)

Fesenjoon in July

Fesenjoon, also spelled Fesenjan, is one of the best national dishes in Iran. If you see walnuts, pomegranate syrup, saffron steeping in hot water, and poultry (duck or chicken) in an Iranian kitchen, you can be sure that Fesenjoon is on the menu. 

Here is an exact recipe and more details about this wholesome stew from Persian Mama : 

Khoresh Fesenjan

I used boneless chicken breasts, although I think bone-in thighs and legs might create more flavor. Also, most Iranian food is mild when it comes to that spicy mouth-on-fire taste that I love since I grew up on very spicy Pakistani and Texan food, so I'd add some form chili peppers to taste. 

Still, the tangy sour taste from the pomegranate is delicious. 

So first, I ground up some walnuts in a food processor (toast them first to be exact). 

Then brown some onions.

Then brown the chicken in the same pan.

Add the walnuts to the browned chicken and onions in a big pot. 

Add a few cups of boiling water.

Then add the pomegranate paste.

Add 

Tomato paste (not common, but sometimes used for depth of flavor and color).

Turmeric

Salt

Saffron water

The color should develop into a deep tawny coffee hazel tint 

I also toasted and tossed a few whole walnuts with salt and pomegranate syrup.

Serve with saffron rice, cucumbers, and yogurt. 

Here is another take on Fesenjoon:

 

And another!

And here's a more flexible and easier approach (my kinda thing!):

Recipe details from Aashpazi HERE.

And if you ever get the chance to watch Season 12 Episode 10 of Beat Bobby Flay,

enjoy as he and Chef Amanda Freitag battle it out in making Fesenjoon!

ENJOY!

Ramadan 2017

We completed our first Ramadan in Iran. It was our 5th Ramadan away from "home," meaning, living away from our hometown and family in Texas. It was my 12 year old daughter's 4th time fasting in Ramadan, and my 11 year old daughter's 3rd time. MashaaAllah (by God's Grace), they did great! They rarely complained about their hunger. We did change our schedule though, by staying up almost all night, so that we could sleep in half of the day. My husband still had to take a morning class every day, but was home by afternoon.

It has been said that summertime in Qom can be "dull" for Western Muslims. Most of the English speaking community who lives here goes back to their home countries for the summer to visit family and/or friends. So with Ramadan being in the summer these past few years, there are no large English speaking communities that gather for iftar with English scholars giving Ramadan speeches like many of us from the States might be used to. Most of us who stay behind might have iftar with a few friends here and there. My brother who stayed in a Howza dorm this Ramadan along with a couple of other students, was provided a simple sehri (morning breakfast) and iftar (although towards the last week the service was lagging a bit).

There is iftar at the main shrines in Iran of course. To have iftar at the shrine of Lady Masumeh (a.s) one needs to get his hands on a few of the limited supply of tickets to gain entry. The iftar would be a humble serving of fruit and bread with water. We didn't get to partake in that nice experience this year unfortunately.

Those of us who fast know that being able to eat whatever snacks you craved while hungry is one of the best parts of well, eating time! We were a bit worried about it for our kids but were happy to find these "flaming hot cheetoz" that are similar to the ones in the states which really hit that spicy spot.

And my husband missed drinking Gatorade to quench his thirst so he had to settle for making an icy cold drink with one of the various 'syrups' that he found here. 

The shops and restaurants here had different timings during Ramadan. They would open after iftar and stay open until 4 or 5 in the mornings. People go out and eat and socialize at those times also.

I also noticed that the internet was less reliable during Ramadan. We also had a few days with electricity and water outages. Perhaps during Ramadan these things have less staff working to maintain them? Who knows? Maybe it was all a coincidence and/or I noticed these things more.

The 19th, 21st, and 23rd were the days that Imam Ali (a.s.)'s martyrdom was commemorated. Black "Ya Ali" banners were on nearly every corner. It is nice to live somewhere that honors truly great historical figures.

On the last Friday of Ramadan it was Al-Quds Day. My husband went out to rally in the hot sun of Qom and took a few pictures.

The Eid moon was "sighted" first in America so they celebrated Eid al Fitr a day before us here in Iran. It's all based on a lunar, moon-sighting calendar. Some folks get bothered that not all Muslims celebrate on the same day for a few reasons. It's hard explaining why and when you'd need a day off from work or school since it's really touch and go at times. But that's not a problem here I'm sure!

Also, it "seems" like Eid is celebrated on different days among Shia and Sunni often, which can create some tensions and inconveniences! This time, some Shia celebrated first in the U.S. while we Shia in Iran did so the next day. So for some, Ramadan lasted for 29 days total while for others it was the full 30 days. It's really not the big of a deal, it's just a common thing.

My husband went for the early morning Eid prayers in the beautiful shrine of Lady Masumeh (a.s.) and he took this lovely pic though I'm sure it was even more lovely in real life. 

Some shops were closed on Eid, some for a few days after. My husband had the week off from his summer classes. We noticed families and friends gathering in our apartment complex, one of our neighbors in particular had a lot of guests over and sent us a plate of sweet halwa.

I definitely missed my family back in Texas this Eid. Though I've never been big on socializing during Ramadan or on Eid, this time it was close to the 8 month mark of us being away from America, so it did hit me a little harder this year. Couple that with not knowing if and when the next visit will be, I'm really starting to feel homesick for the USA.

Still, we try to stay positive and enjoy what we can. Here's our humble Eid table and decor :

Au Revoir