Persian BBQ with the Bratties

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It's been 10 years since I got into college! Aaaargh! I feel so old! But whenever I am with my college blockmates "The Bratties", seem slike we never grew old - just like Peter Pan's Neverland. We laugh about the same silly stuff and sing the same videoke songs, wit the occasional adult chat which makes us cringe after. And talks of marriage while the boyfriends are around which we also laugh off.

We were doing mini 10-year celebrations this year - ZsaZsa Zaturnah, Bicol, Cirque Du Doleil, Incubus, etc. After watching Cirque Du Soleil we decided to plan a BBQ party just because Vix has this new yay-big, kick-ass grill fit for a 4th of July American Barbecue! After my Mediterranean Lunch post, they asked me to do something similar for the BBQ - immediately thought Persian just like bringing Mister Kebab at the backyard! I tried to have in them costume but that's a fail! Hahaha

We prepared a feast fit for Aladdin and Princess Jasmine's Wedding! Check out the easy recipes too! You can easily use a charcoal grill / oven with a rack on center / pan grill for all the recipes. :)

Mis en place started the night before so the meats can marinate well.

BEEF KOFTA
1 kilo ground beef
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 1/2 tablespoon anise seeds
1/8 teaspoon cloves
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground oregano
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
2 teaspoons garlic powder

mix everything and pop in the fridge

PORK BELLY WITH DRY PERSIAN RUB
1 kilo pork belly, grill cut (1/2 inch thick)
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon anatto powder (atsuete)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon cinnamon

mix rub, sprinkle over pork and pop in fridge.

SAFFRON FISH FILLETS
1 kilo cream dory fillets
1 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon chili sauce
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon kasubha (local saffron) or 1 pinch of Spanish saffron

mix everything and pop in the fridge (that's the theme!) haha

ROASTED CURRIED CHICKEN
2 spring chickens (3/4 kilo each), butterflied from the breast bone
4 tablespoons green curry paste*
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/4 cup canola oil

*available bottled at rustan's (or blend together 1 small white onion, 1 stalk lemongrass, 2 cloves garlic, 1 long green chili, 1 thumbsize piece of ginger, 1/4 teaspoon salt and enough water to make a paste)

guessed it right! mix together and pop in the fridge.

Headed to Vix's house at Southwoods, Laguna. Was happy to see the grill!!! It's like Bobby Flay possessed me!

While we prepare the grill my sous chef, Cherub help me out with side dishes.

RAITA - a cucumber and yogurt sauce, universally delish for all the grilled meats
1 cup plain yogurt
1 small cucumber, diced
1 long green chili, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup chopped cilantro / wansuy
salt to taste

mix together and chill until meat is ready to serve

HUMMUS
1 - 12 oz can garbanzo beans
1 - 12 oz can white kidney beans
2 cloves garlic
1/2 long green chili
1/2 teaspoon salt
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/3 cup olive oil + more to top
enough water from the garbanzo beans to make it into a spreadable dip
*serve with grilled bread (baguette, pita, whole wheat loaf)

whiz everything in a blender! taste for seasoning...

Put in a shallow dish / bowl and top with more olive oil.

VEGETABLES - a fresh salad to cleanse the palate and grilled veggies to complement the meaty flavors; both are great with the raita

lettuce
cucumbers
red bell pepper
teared basil leaves
chopped cilantro
thinly sliced onions
whole green chili,  tomato and onion halves (drizzled with olive oil & salt)

One thing left to do - FIRE UP THE GRILL!!! Always plan the grilling by starting with the one which cooks longest and ending with some of the sides. Barbecuing is truly an art and a science! Hahaha

vix shapes the kofta into logs

We ad ice cold beer in the cooler but another drink that goes well with spicy Persian food are Mojitos. This cocktail has Caribbean influences but the crispness and freshness of mint and limes will definitely cool you down! :)

MOJITOS
1.5 liters white rhum
1 1/2 cups triple sec
juice of 5 limes
1 cup lime cordial
bug bunch of mint, crushed
3 liters of water
1 cup sugar
lotsa ice

Time to eat!

But I have a surprise for dessert...

GRILLED MANGO & PINEAPPLE
ripe pineapple wedges
mango halves, leave skin for easier grilling and slicing
vanilla ice cream
honey
nutmeg



grill fruits until caramelized with nice grill marks



spoon chopped fruits over ice crean. drizzle with honey and a dash of nutmeg!




surprisingly simple but tantalizingly exotic!


I wish barbecues were bigger here in the Philippines (well not the isawan type, I mean) hahaha Till our next BBQ Partieh bratties and I'm serious about the costume. Plan your own soon and let me know how it goes! And hope I get invited too! :D