Roses and Eggplant

My friend, the super talented writer Cheryl Tan, invited me to join a group of seasoned food bloggers. The goal of the group is to create themed posts around fun food topics. I have never done this before and thought it was a very cool idea. Then, she told me the first theme: daffodils. Well, I have to say that I was perplexed because a. I don’t cook with flowers and b. I would not know the first thing to do with daffodils. But, Cheryl is kind, and was open to my request of using a different flower. I know, I know, i should have used daffodils but let me at least try to pretend that I can be in a group of uber-talented food folks!!

Now, the same day Cheryl invited me, I was invited by Chef Maziar Farivar to his chic Georgetown restaurant Peacock Cafe for a taste of his native Persian cuisine. The food was, in one word, divine. A creamy pistachio soup with hints of citrus, grilled stuffed grape leaves with yogurt sauce, Feta cheese and basil-olive oil, and sour cherry-Basmati rice blend with grilled pomegranate glazed organic chicken thigh and drumstick were just some of the dishes that I found excellent. But, what really stole my heart was Chef Farivar’s appetizer featuring eggplant, pomegranate and, yes, roses. The velvety eggplant with the touch of rose and the sweetness of pomegranate arils was not just a delight for the taste buds but it seemed like the perfect way to welcome spring!

I requested the chef to share his recipe and here it is!! I also want to thank Rose Magpie for taking these amazing photos of the dish.

I hope my #letslunch group falls so in love with this rose petal dish that they forget and forgive me for not using daffodils!

Naaz Khatoon; A Roasted Eggplant and Pomegranate Dip

By Chef Maziar Farivar

Ingredients:

3 large eggplants,

1 large red onion,

12oz pomegranate juice ( Chef recommends POM)

ground cumin and coriander,

1 lg garlic clove

Dried rose pedals and fresh pomegranate seeds for garnish (when available)

Procedure:

Cut eggplants in half, lengthwise. Place them cut side down on a sheet pan and place in 350F oven for about 45-55 minutes, or until the meat is soft to the touch.

Once eggplants are cool enough to handle, scrape the meat away from the skin and set aside. Chop it roughly to make sure there are no large pieces.

Slice the onion in thin fairly uniform slices. Caramalize onion slices in a saute pan with some olive oil over medium high heat. Do not allow them to burn.

Place eggplant and onions in a medium sauce pan and add pomegranate juice (or continue to use the sautee pan if large enough). Add a tsp of salt, pepper, coriander and cumin and one crushed garlic clove. Bring mixture to a simmer and reduce pomegranate juice by more than half, so that the mixture is not runny. Taste to adjust the seasoning.

Now, we have a delicious eggplant-pomegranate dip, Naaz Khatoon. Place in a bowl, sprinkle some crushed rose pedals on top and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Presentation:

Place a bowl of Naaz Khatoon in the center of a large presentable tray, garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds and more dried rose pedals, urround by beautiful green leaves of your favorite lettuce and/or slices of pita or any other flat bread so to make bite size portions.

Enjoy!

Peacock Cafe, 3251 Prospect St. NW, 202-625-2740

I loved this titbit about Chef Farivar: In September 2012, Chef Maziar was recognized nationally as one the most prominent chefs and culinary leaders along with 80 other celebrity chefs, to become a Culinary Ambassador and a member of the American Chef Corps, part of a new Diplomatic Culinary Partnership between the State Department, its protocol office and the James Beard Foundation.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE REST OF THE GROUP HERE FOR THEIR WONDERFUL RECIPES:

1.Anne Marie Cruz: Veal Shank Redemption: The Zihuatanejo, a blueberry soda and thyme-braised veal shank with spring pea shoots. Yay!

2. Lisa Goldberg: Salad of Chargrilled Sourdough, Tomato and Haloumi Cheese

3. Nancie McDermott – Shad roe with grits and bacon.

4. Rebecca Seigel – Goat Cheese panna cotta with mango foam

5.