Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is fesenjan made of? ›

Fesenjan or fesenjoon is a traditional Persian stew made with chicken simmered in a pomegranate molasses and walnut sauce. The combination of earthy walnuts, slightly sour pomegranate molasses and tender, juicy chicken create an unparalleled balance of flavors in this special occasion dish.

Let it cool completely and then store in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. To serve, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. To reheat fesenjan, place it in in a small pot and turn the heat on to medium low.

Pomegranate molasses is pomegranate juice that has been gently reduced, with or without added sugar, to make a syrup. It has a tangy sweet-sour flavour and is used in both savoury and sweet dishes, most traditionally in the Middle East and surrounding regions.

In Persian, pomegranate is known as anar. The fruit's juice and paste have a role in Iranian cuisine, e.g. chicken, ghormas, and refreshment bars.

Pomegranate molasses, also known as Dibs Ar-rumman (Arabic: دِبْس الرُّمَّان, rakkaz rimonim Hebrew: רכז רימונים, robb-e anâr Persian: رب انار, melása rodioú Greek: μελάσα ροδιού, "pomegranate syrup"), nar ekshisi (Turkish: nar ekşisi, "pomegranate sour"), and narsharab (Azerbaijani: narşərab, "pomegranate wine") is a ...

You cannot freeze them whole; the large fruit pod will turn into a disgusting mush when you thaw it. You can, however, freeze the pips quite well, and they are the part you eat anyway.

To freeze arils (seeds):

Spread the arils, single layer, on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Put them in the freezer for no more than 2 hours, then transfer to a moisture-proof freezer bag or container for storage. Return to the freezer and use within one year.

Ancient Iranians believed that the pomegranate was a sign of fertility due to its abundant seeds. It is a high pillar of festivities on Yalda Night. Narratives say the presence of pomegranates symbolizes blessings for a new life. The number of seeds scattered indicates how many children a young woman may give birth to!

Mistaken origins. The Romans mistakenly assumed pomegranates derived from Africa. In fact, pomegranates are considered to have originated from Iran, south-west Pakistan and parts of Afghanistan. The pomegranate fruit was also given a classical Latin name, Malum granatum, meaning "grainy apple".

Is pomegranate a Persian fruit? ›

Pomegranate, known as “Anar” in Persian, grows widely and is cultivated throughout Iran. As a common food, Iranians use pomegranate fruit juice and paste in many dishes including sour chicken, Fesenjan, and Lavashak. Iranian culture has long used the pomegranate as a symbol.

Despite the name, pomegranate molasses does not contain any added sugar, and is made by naturally reducing pomegranate juice down to a thick syrup. That's it! No other ingredients!

Pomegranates are round, red fruits. They feature a white inner flesh that's packed with crunchy, juicy edible seeds called arils. They may be best known for the vibrantly colored juice they're often used in, but these unique fruits have a lot more to offer.

True berries are fleshy fruits that come from a single flower with one ovary and typically have several seeds. Pomegranate fruit fall into this group. The dry outer covering (husk) of pomegranate fruit is made up of two layers: An outer, hard layer called a epicarp.