The New Persian Kitchen | Louisa Shafia | Talks Google

TL;DR

Louisa Shafia shares her personal journey with Persian food and her approach to modernizing traditional dishes.

Transcript

BECKY: Please join me in welcoming to Google New York Louisa Shafia. LOUISA SHAFIA: Thanks Becky. JACI BADZIN: So your book opens with a really great introduction to your history and your heritage. Can you start by telling us a bit about your personal story and your connection with Persian food? LOUISA SHAFIA: Sure, well, my dad is from Iran. He gr... Read More

Key Insights

• 😒 Persian cuisine has a long history dating back thousands of years and uses traditional ingredients like saffron, rose water, and sumac.
• 🥺 Louisa Shafia's exploration of Persian cuisine led her to connect with her heritage and discover her culinary roots.
• 🌿 Persian cooking emphasizes a balance of flavors and energies, with a focus on fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
• 🥰 Louisa Shafia's love for healthy cooking influenced her approach to Persian cuisine, using whole grains and reducing sugar.
• 🍖 Traditional Persian dishes can be adapted to vegetarian or vegan alternatives, focusing on the flavors rather than the meat.
• 🧫 Louisa Shafia's cookbook provides accessible and approachable recipes, combining traditional Persian dishes with a modern and healthy twist.
• 🏤 Persian cuisine shares similarities with Eastern European cuisines, such as pickles, dill, and sour flavors.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Louisa Shafia's diverse background influence her interest in Persian cuisine?

Louisa's father is from Iran, and her mom is an American Ashkenazi Jew. Growing up in a diverse household exposed her to different culinary traditions and sparked her curiosity about Persian food.

Q: How did Louisa Shafia combine her passion for healthy cooking with traditional Persian cuisine?

Louisa believes in using whole grains, reducing sugar, and emphasizing fresh fruits and vegetables in her Persian dishes. She offers vegetarian and vegan alternatives for classic meat dishes.

Q: What are some key ingredients in Persian cuisine?

Turmeric, sumac, pomegranate molasses, dried limes, and dried mint are essential ingredients in Persian cooking. They add unique flavors and enhance the dishes.

Q: How does Louisa Shafia view the impact of technology on traditional cooking?

Louisa believes that technology, such as videos and social media, make it easier to share recipes and cooking techniques. It allows for immediate access to information and fosters a global culinary dialogue.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Louisa Shafia grew up in a diverse household in Philadelphia and discovered her love for Persian cuisine through her mom's cooking.

• She started cooking at a young age and was inspired to write her first cookbook, focusing on eco-friendly cooking.

• Her second cookbook, "The New Persian Kitchen," explores Persian cooking with a healthy twist, using whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.