Ash (Soup) For Gabriel's Grandma

These pictures are from the first visit between families, before Shirin and Gabriel got married, perhaps 2004. We decided to cook Persian food at our house and bring it to Gabriel and David's apartment. Everyone was a good sport at trying the new dishes, and we had fun making it for them. Gabriel's Grandma particularly like the soup and mentioned wanting the recipe. Of course I never remembered to send it, but recently she reminded me and I'm glad she did!

Brendan, Anahita, and cute little Grandma Ester.

David and Gabriel. No picture of Shirin.. she must have been taking the pictures.

Gene and Rita.

Saeed and I.

SO......

Be careful what you ask for Grandma Ester, because not only will you be receiving the recipe but Shirin and Gabriel will be bringing you some of the finished product when they come down for Thanksgiving. These are the ingredients you will need.

You will receive a copy of the recipe on the left - that's the one I follow too! And you will receive a few of the non-American ingredients as well, such as the reshteh (Persian noodles), dried mint, and the kashk, a thick yogurty type substance. Notice the well stained pages. That's a sign of a well-used and, therefore, good cookbook.

The soup should be made in a big pot (pot on right) but you'll need to cook the lentils separately first in a smaller pot (left.) For the other beans I cheat and use canned.

The finished product: Ash-e Reshte

To serve, don't fill your bowl to the top because you are going to add the kashk (white stuff on left) and the topping (right) made from onions sauteed in butter and mint.

Add some kashk to the hot soup...

.... stir to mix...

... sprinkle on the topping.

Nooshi Joon!