Every cultur, has a definite set of food for breakfast. The tendency of breakfasts in Iran is a combination of salty and sweet savors. The bread plays a crucial part in the feast. So if it’s not mentioned, you know that on the table/sofreh of Iranians it’s ubiquitous! Now, let’s dive into the famous Iranian treats for breakfast:
1- Nun, Paneer, Chaii shirin نون پنیر چایی شیرین
Probably the most popular breakfast in Iran. Nothing is cooked. Just bring every element to the table:
- Nun (bread), Any type of bread is good! (sangak, barbari, ore french baguette!)
- Paneer (cheese), Lighvan type, if you don’t have the Greek Feta cheese is a valid substitute.
- Chai Shirin (sweet tea). The tea is always black. Freshly brewed and it is served bitter (!) Each person adds the preferred amount of sugar to the tea. A small sugar canister is always present at the table.
What else goes? The butter and walnuts aren’t mentioned, but they are most likely present at the breakfast table.
2- Omelette املت
Iran has its own omelette that brought from the French cuisine. It isn’t just with eggs, and it’s somehow similar to Shakshuka but with fewer spices. Even if it’s so easy to cook, people would love to have omelette at restaurants served as breakfast.
How to cook? In a hot pan mix: tomato paste, diced onion (optional), turmeric (optional), salt and pepper then add eggs and mix. Done. ✔️
3- Halim هلیم
Halim is one of the oldest and richest types of breakfasts in Iran. Families rarely make it at home, because it’s so time-consuming to cook, that’s why it’s brought from the specialized stores.
It’s made of cooked wheat or barley and meat which has been smashed. The texture is creamy and has a sort of elasticity. It’s served either sweet or salty. This depends on the topping.
- Salty version: cinnamon.
- Sweet version: sugar with cinnamon.
Check out the Persian Halim recipe with fibre recipe.
4- Kaleh Pache/kalepache کله پاچه
When things come to Kaleh Pacheh, Iranians are divided into two groups:
- Those who hate Kaleh Pache.
- Those who die for it. (we are grateful the first group exists)
It’s the breakfast of cold seasons. Kale Pache is rarely cooked at home. People buy it from specialized stores, and it is served in the early mornings. People have it either at at the restaurants or -most of them- have it as take away to eat in their comfortable homes. It is served with: sprinkle of cinnamon, fresh bread of sangak, drops of lemon or narenj (bitter orange) and raw onions.
5- Adasi عدسی
This is -perhaps- the only vegan breakfast of Iran, however some might add the meat broth to it for a richer flavor. Adas (عدس) means lentils and Adasi refers to lentil soup. It’s eaten with drops of lemon on top and a piece of bread. So easy to cook and it’s very nutritious. Adasi is bought from either restaurant or is homecooked.
Here is Adasi recipe