Pomegranate and Saffron: Iranian Home Cooking with Omid Roustaei

Milk Street's Livestream Classes

Bring some flavorful flair to chicken and rice with Iranian chef Omid Roustaei.

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NOTE: iphone and ipad users,<a href="https://eventbrite.oldmanhustle.net/checkout-external?eid=1247595605039" title="https://eventbrite.oldmanhustle.net/checkout-external?eid=1001295109627" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> CLICK HERE </a>to register for class.What’s on the Menu: Chicken in Pomegranate and Walnut Sauce Rice with a Crispy Saffron Bottom (Tahdig) Description: Tart-sweet pomegranate molasses. Fragrant saffron. Rich toasted walnuts. These are the flavors that Omid Roustaei, author of the new book “<a href="https://www.portersquarebooks.com/book/9798886741834" title="https://www.portersquarebooks.com/book/9798886741834" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Bitter and Sweet: Global Flavors from an Iranian-American Kitchen</a>” can’t live without. Join him to bring these bold flavors to one of our favorite dinner jumping-off points: braised chicken and a pot of rice. Omid’s chicken uses ground walnuts for both thickening and depth of flavor, then balances their richness with a generous amount of bright pomegranate molasses. The result is tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken that’s the perfect blend of sweet, savory and satisfying. To accompany your chicken, we’ll make an extraordinary pot of rice. Iranians take their rice seriously, and perhaps the best exemplification of this is tahdig, which uses technique and intuition to achieve a golden brown, super-crispy bottom layer that gets inverted dramatically out of the pot. With Omid’s guidance, you’ll get comfortable working with saffron to ensure that you achieve the color and aroma that it’s famed for. And that’s just the first of many techniques you’ll learn through this dish. We’ll walk you through soaking, parboiling and seasoning rice. You’ll set yourself up for that crispy bottom layer by carefully frying, simmering and steaming. And, of course, you’ll watch as Omid executes the big flip. If you love a hearty dinner of chicken and rice, you’ll love the flavors of Omid’s family’s Iranian home cooking. About Omid: Omid Roustaei is an Iranian-American chef and culinary instructor who has been deeply involved in the culinary world for more than 20 years. Born and raised in Tehran, he attended the School of Natural Cookery in Boulder, Colorado, where he studied the art of intuitive cooking. Omid now balances a career as a psychotherapist with his enthusiasm for teaching and writing. He shares Iranian culture and traditions through cooking and storytelling, using the power of food to foster connections and serve as a gentle form of advocacy and activism. His writing can be found at thecaspianchef.com, and he is a regular contributor to The Kitchn and The Spruce Eats. Order a copy of Omid's new book, "Bitter and Sweet: Global Flavors from an Iranian-American Home Kitchen" and get 10% off with code MILK2025 <a href="https://www.portersquarebooks.com/book/9798886741834" title="https://www.portersquarebooks.com/book/9798886741834" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</a>. Thank you to the 2025 Annual Sponsors of the Cooking School, who make our livestream events possible:<ul><li><a href="https://www.coccinellastore.com/oleavia-evoo" title="https://www.coccinellastore.com/oleavia-evoo" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Coccinella</a>, whose Oleavia Extra-Virgin Olive Oils are made with olives that are harvested early, hand-picked and cold-pressed to ensure impeccable flavor. Use code MILK STREET to get 20% off your first order: <a href="https://www.coccinellastore.com/oleavia-evoo" title="https://www.coccinellastore.com/oleavia-evoo" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.coccinellastore.com/oleavia-evoo</a></li><li><a href="https://copperhome.com/?utm_source=milkstreet&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=brand" title="https://copperhome.com/?utm_source=milkstreet&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=brand" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Copper</a>, which makes battery-equipped induction ranges that power premium cooking experiences and store renewable energy — without the need for complex, expensive electrical upgrades. Learn more: t.ly/cU1pO</li><li><a href="https://store.177milkstreet.com/discount/COOKLIGHT?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fmaker-vermicular" title="https://store.177milkstreet.com/discount/COOKLIGHT?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fmaker-vermicular" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Vermicular</a>. With 80+ years of Japanese craftsmanship and heating innovation, they craft thoughtfully designed cast iron cookware that inspires chefs of all levels. Use code COOKLIGHT for 10% off their products at the Milk Street Store: t.ly/mu01T</li><li><a href="https://store.177milkstreet.com/discount/SHARPSMART?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fmaker-work-sharp" title="https://store.177milkstreet.com/discount/SHARPSMART?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fmaker-work-sharp" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Work Sharp</a>, which makes sharpening products that are fast, easy to use and work every time. Find their products <a href="https://store.177milkstreet.com/search?q=%22work+sharp%22" title="https://store.177milkstreet.com/search?q=%22work+sharp%22" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">on the Milk Street Store</a> and use code SHARPSMART for 10% off: t.ly/SSsSz</li><li><a href="http://t.ly/REVSO" title="http://t.ly/REVSO" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Wulf’s Fish</a> and <a href="http://t.ly/CRwjA" title="http://t.ly/CRwjA" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Savenor’s Market</a>. Together, Wulf’s and Savenor’s provide premium seafood and gourmet meat to chefs and home cooks across the country. Use code MILKSTREET for 20% off orders from <a href="http://t.ly/REVSO" title="http://t.ly/REVSO" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Wulf’s</a> (t.ly/REVSO) and <a href="http://t.ly/CRwjA" title="http://t.ly/CRwjA" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Savenor’s</a> (t.ly/CRwjA). </li></ul>If you have any questions about this class, please don't hesitate to get in touch via cookingschool@177milkstreet.com.This event has limited spots and you must register in advance via Eventbrite in order to attend. One sign-up covers one device. Payments for Milk Street livestream events are non-refundable. If you find yourself unable to attend, you may transfer the ticket to someone else, but we are unable to refund fees and all payments are final.Closed Captioning is available for all Milk Street virtual events.Immediately after registering, you will get a confirmation email that contains the Zoom meeting log-in information. One week prior to the class (or within 48 hours, if you register less than one week in advance), you will receive instructions on how to prepare ingredients and equipment in order to cook along, if you choose.After class, you will receive a recording of the event, as links to any additional recipes and resources that may come up. NOTE:The recording link is only available online for one month following each event. If you’d like to have access to the recording for longer than that, you'll need to save the recording locally by clicking on “download” on the top right corner of the recording page.Proceeds from livestream cooking classes and workshops support Milk Street's non-profit work with The Big Sisters Association of Great Boston, The Boys &amp; Girls Club of Dorchester, FoodCorps and other partners.Bonus: All attendees of this class will receive a one-time 20% off coupon to the <a href="https://store.177milkstreet.com/" title="https://store.177milkstreet.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Milk Street Store</a> after class.

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Pomegranate and Saffron: Iranian Home Cooking with Omid Roustaei

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Pomegranate and Saffron: Iranian Home Cooking with Omid Roustaei

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