Small Dishes to Mix + Match

In this section you’ll find a number of refreshing yogurt-based dishes as well as spreads and various vegan and vegetarian salads made from a whole range of different ingredients, from lentils, bulgur and chickpeas to kale, beets and even persimmons. The traditional Iranian way of serving a meal is to have one main dish (or more) accompanied by many small dishes on the table. Everyone then helps themselves according to their fancy. There is no particular order regarding what you might eat or when. Together with these dishes there is usually a green platter consisting of Persian basil, cheese, radishes, spring onions, and walnuts. This is accompanied by hot, crispy, flat Persian bread. Iranians often begin (and end) a meal by using a piece of the flat bread to make a mouthful from this platter.