Nan E Berenji Recipes

IRANIAN RICE COOKIES (NAN-E BERENJI)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a fine sieve with four layers of cheesecloth and set over a small liquid measuring cup. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until beginning to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until foamy, stirring occasionally, until butter turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, and milk solids separate into brown specks that sink to bottom, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and strain through prepared sieve, leaving solids behind. Set aside to cool slightly.
• In another small saucepan over medium heat, stir together sugar and 2 tablespoons water until sugar has dissolved, then transfer to a large bowl. Let cool slightly, then add rose water and stir to combine.
• Add yolk to sugar mixture and whisk until light and slightly thickened. Continue whisking and slowly drizzle in strained brown butter until thick and fully incorporated. In a medium bowl, combine flours, cardamom, and salt. Add to brown butter mixture and stir until thoroughly incorporated.
• Roll dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 1 inch apart. Imprint each ball with the grooved side of a meat mallet, pressing to 1/4 inch thick. Dust mallet with rice flour as needed to prevent sticking. Bake, rotating halfway through, until edges of cookies just turn light golden, about 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

NAN-E BERENJI

Steps:

• Beat the confectioners' sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add the yolks and mix until creamy and smooth, about 1 minute. Add the rosewater and cardamom and mix until combined, about 1 minute.
• Add the rice flour and stir using a rubber spatula until you have a soft dough that's still a bit moist, about 3 minutes. If needed, add more rice flour 1 tablespoon at a time. Transfer the dough to a clean bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 4 to 6 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Scoop 1/2 tablespoon of the dough and roll it into a ball. Place the ball on the prepared baking sheet and gently press it into a 1/2-inch-thick disc. Repeat with the remaining dough, spacing the discs 2 inches apart. Using the edge of a small spoon, gently make a series of curved indentations on top of each disc, radiating out from the center. Sprinkle with sesame seeds (if using).
• Bake until the edges start to lightly brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack. The cookies keep, refrigerated in an airtight container, for up to 4 days.

IRANIAN RICE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a fine-mesh sieve with 4 layers of cheesecloth; set over a small liquid measuring cup. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until beginning to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until foamy, stirring occasionally, until butter turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, and milk solids separate into brown specks that sink to bottom, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and strain butter through prepared sieve, leaving solids behind. Let cool slightly.
• In another small saucepan over medium heat, stir together sugar and 2 tablespoons water until sugar has dissolved; transfer to a large bowl. Let cool slightly. Add rose water and stir to combine.
• Add egg yolk to sugar mixture; whisk until light and slightly thickened. Continue whisking and drizzle in strained brown butter until thick and incorporated. In a medium bowl, whisk together both flours, the cardamom, and salt. Add to brown butter mixture and stir until incorporated.
• Roll or scoop dough into 11/2‑inch balls and place about 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Imprint each ball with the grooved side of a meat mallet, pressing to 1/4 inch thick. Dust mallet with rice flour as needed to prevent sticking. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges of cookies just turn light golden, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely. (Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.)