I don’t particularly know how to begin this blog post because it’s been a minute since I last came here. So perhaps I should just start explaining things. Since my last blog post, I’ve finished grad school at Northwestern and Barry finished at UChicago Booth and we moved across the country in a 17-foot Penske truck in 2 days. 2 days! Just me, Barry, and our two chickens, Pig and Hoof. They’re not chickens, they’re parrots, but they’re my chickens. A week later, we went to Italy for 2 weeks to celebrate everything (because it’s been a lonnnng time in Chicago, guys). Then we came back and Barry started his new job after finishing at Booth, he’s is loving it, and I’m happy to say we are in California now! How I missed my home state! We went back to Chicago for my PhD hooding ceremony, ate the best burger in the world, twice, (sup, Small Cheval! you da best.), and finally returned to Cali. It’s been nothing short of a complete whirlwind adventure.
On to the fresh cream!
First thing’s first, it’s pretty needless to say that I haven’t been in the kitchen much since leaving Chicago. And so I’m not going to give you a big ol’ intense recipe today. That just wouldn't make sense. I post what I crave and eat at the time, and so obviously, no boeuf bourguignon today. It’s all about the non-recipe. And my favorite non-recipe, hands down, is this:
Fresh Persian-Style Cream with Freshly Baked Bread and Some Freaking Good Honey.
If you don’t know what I mean by that, or you’ve never tasted fresh clotted cream, also known as sarsheer, qaymakh, or mascarpone, then you be missing out! But it’s okay, because I gotchoo. It’s creamy, fluffy, soft, and dreamy. The taste is light and clean. And it tastes best with some good quality honey. Wildflower honey complements the cream pretty well because it’s not overpowering and is reminiscent of pastures where you could imagine cows grazing happily.
If you take fresh, raw milk and heat it (or apply acid to it), the cream will naturally separate and rise to the top. Or, you can just do like me and go to Whole Foods and buy their own brand of mascarpone. It’s the best I’ve had outside the Persian or Italian countrysides. Actually, if I’m completely honest, it’s exactly the same. Top notch. Better than all the other brands I’ve tasted in the US (including those imported from Italy).
When I was in Iran, we would buy some fresh cream that came from the local dairy cows in the pastures of Ardebil, pack up some local honey, and pick up some freshly baked Persian bread down the street before driving over to a spot on the grassy mountains in Heyran for a morning picnic. Oh and the thermos of hot Persian tea. That was never forgotten.
I hope you check out the video above, and “make” this non-recipe ASAP because it’s so darn tasty, good for you, and better than pancakes. Reasoning for these claims are in the video. 😉
Also, check out other Persian picnic ideas from my friends below!
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As always, love, health, and happiness to all of you!
Recipe
Fresh Cream with Bread & Honey: A Tasty Non-Recipe - سر شیر، عسل و نان
Ingredients
- 8 ounce package Fresh Mascarpone Cheese Also known as Clotted Cream, Qaymakh, or Sarsheer. My favorite is Whole Foods brand Mascarpone Cheese
- Fresh Bread of Your Choice
- Organic, Raw, Pesticide-free Honey of Your Choice
Instructions
Warm your bread if you like and serve with the fresh cream (mascarpone cheese), topped with honey. Optional: Serve with sweet, hot black tea. Noushe-jaan! Food for your soul! 🙂
~~If you enjoyed this recipe, please rate it below and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more videos!~~
Video
Nutrition
Noon Khamei - Persian Rosewater Cream Puffs - VIDEO!
How to Make PERFECT Scrambled Eggs - VIDEO!!
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Becky says
Yum!!! Welcome back Honest and Tasty!
honestandtasty says
Thanks, Becky!
Fariba says
It's 5am here in LA and your bread and sarshir looks so good 🙂 Gorgeous photos xoxo
honestandtasty says
Thank you, Fariba joon! <3
Lori says
Oh. My. That looks so good! Glad you are posting again. I look forward to your recipes and posts.
honestandtasty says
Thank you, Lori!! I'm glad to be posting again too! 😀
Fariba says
Also, congrats on getting your PHD, that's awesome! And moving to LA, we have the same time zone now 🙂
honestandtasty says
Aw, thanks so much! And yes, it's great being back in California! I hope to meet you some time!
Laura @ Family Spice says
You take such beautiful photographs! Congratulations on all you've accomplished. You have been very busy! Welcome back to the west coast!
honestandtasty says
Thank you, Laura! So sweet of you to say! I'm happy to be back! Hopefully we can have a meet-up of west-coasters some time! 😀
Naz says
Welcome back to California, Bita! And many, many congratulations on all your amazing accomplishments. One of which being this beautiful post. Nothing more delicious than fresh bread, sarsheer and honey. We must meet up soon. Happy Summer!
honestandtasty says
Thank you so much, Naz! So kind <3
I agree! A meet-up is a must! Happy Summer to you as well! 😀
Fae's Twist & Tango says
Wow, CONGRATULATIONS Bita jan!!! And, welcome back to California (northern or southern?)! Good for you for all your accomplishments!
Your posts are always beautiful and I LOVE your videos too. This bread, cream and honey snack is so cool!
Although I cannot remember when, I have had this combination before and I loved it. Thanks for reminding me to prepare for friends and family! 😀
honestandtasty says
Merci, Fae joon!! I appreciate your words so much! They mean a lot to me 🙂
Also, I'm back in Southern California. Big change from Chicago!
I hope you try this non-recipe out! It's very nostalgic for me and maybe if you have it again, the flavors will remind you of when you had it in the past. <3
LAURA says
Looks delicious, can't wait to try it! Congratulations Bita on all of your amazing accomplishments. I am so proud of you and I am so happy to have another recipe to try!
honestandtasty says
Thank you, sweet, sweeeeeet Laura! You're just the bestest, aren't ya?! This is super easy and your brother is addicted to it! We ate it a lot when we were both super busy towards the end in Chicago. 😉
My Persian Kitchen says
Love your pics! Welcome back to Cali!! Must do a Crown Valley Kabob run!!
honestandtasty says
Thanks, Sanam! I'm so haaaaaappy to be back! Let's do that, please!! 😀
Sixia says
Are these your new earrings? Look so pretty on you!!! I miss you~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
honestandtasty says
These are old! 😀 Thank you though! I miss you so much! I've been thinking of you so much the last few days! I hope you're doing great! <3 <3