Opulent, Persian

Wow. This month's issue of Gourmet has a feature on an "opulent Persian feast", put together by none other than Najmieh Batmanglij. She is the foremost author of Persian cookbooks (her New Food of Life is the authority on Persian cooking), and kind of my personal hero, and these heady recipes, fragrant with rosewater, saffron, cardamom, pomegranate, all come from her latest book, From Persia to Napa: Wine at the Persian Table, and all are elegant variations on the traditional recipes mom makes. The photo spread is absolutely gorgeous -- richly textured, modern and ancient at the same time -- I get a little thrilled it when this favorable (and beautiful) aspect of Persian culture is captured and brought into the mainstream, and all just in time for Persian New Year. Definitely check it out.