Planning a Persian-Style Dinner

Persian food offers a palette of almost limitless possibilities, whether for a big dinner party or an intimate gathering of family and friends. Whatever the occasion, you have plenty of scope for creativity and surprise.

In the following seven menus, I have brought together some widely varied tastes and textures for the seasons as well as for Sunday brunch, the New Year meal, and the Sizdehbedar picnic. These menus are intended to give you a pleasing, unified meal, especially when accompanied by good wine. I have not provided many variations, leaving it up to you to mix and match as you please.