Borani Yeh Esfenaj Spinach Yogurt Dip Recipes

BORANI-YEH ESFENAJ (SPINACH YOGURT DIP)

Steps:

• In a large (12-inch) pan, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the garlic, sprinkle with a little salt, stir and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the turmeric, stir and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add about half the spinach and increase the heat to medium. Using tongs, quickly and continuously toss the spinach with the onion mixture until slightly wilted and reduced in volume. Add the rest of the spinach, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Toss and cook until the spinach is wilted and any liquid has evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes. Increase the heat slightly if the spinach releases too much water. Transfer the spinach mixture to a bowl and cool to room temperature.
• To the cooled spinach, add the Greek yogurt, regular plain yogurt, lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir well to combine, and add salt to taste. If the mixture is too thick, thin out with more regular yogurt, 1 tablespoon at a time. Taste and add more salt and lemon juice as needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. Stir to combine, then drizzle with olive oil and serve.

IRANIAN YOGURT AND SPINACH DIP - BORANI ESFANAAJ

Steps:

• Steam baby spinach until just wilted.
• Drain well and chop fine.
• Mince 1/2 medium clove garlic and saute in 1 tbs unrefined extra virgin olive oil, then add the chopped spinach and a pinch or two sea salt. Stir.
• Remove from stove and allow to cool, then squeeze out excess liquid.
• Toast chopped walnuts in a dry frying pan until fragrant. Be careful not to burn! Set aside to cool.
• In a bowl and the yogurt, other half minced garlic, baby spinach, and dried mint and sea salt to taste, stir gently.
• Transfer to the bowl you are serving it in (I use a shallow, round bowl) and sprinkle with toasted, chopped walnuts and a trail of unrefined extra virgin olive oil.
• Serve with lavash (flatbread from Iran) or "some crisped-up-in-the-oven whole wheat pita bread!" (Yes we don't do that being gluten free! I use more yogurt and serve this as a salad to mix with Middle Eastern rice dishes.).
• Enjoy!

MICHELADA CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the beer, Worcestershire, hot sauce, lime zest and juice and salt. Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade and set aside.
• Pat the chicken dry. If thickness varies greatly, pound to an even thickness. Add chicken to the marinade in the large bowl and set aside for 30 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 3 hours. (Bring to room temperature before cooking.)
• Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Wipe off excess marinade from the chicken with your hand or a paper towel. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until the chicken is browned and releases easily from the pan, 5 to 7 minutes. Flip and cook until cooked through, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate or platter to rest.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Carefully pour in the reserved marinade and boil, scraping up browned bits, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the chicken and turn to coat. Eat the chicken drizzled with sauce.

BORANI-YEH KARAFS (CELERY YOGURT DIP)

Steps:

• Coarsely chop the hazelnuts, set a few pieces aside for garnish and place the rest in a medium bowl.
• Add the yogurt, celery, green onion, dried cranberries, lemon juice, mint, dill and salt to the bowl and mix well. Taste and adjust all seasonings to your liking. The dip can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• To serve, garnish with reserved hazelnuts, cranberries and a little sprinkling of dried mint and dill. Drizzle with olive oil and serve with chips, flatbreads or crudités.