Celebrating Nowruz: Andy Baraghani's Culinary Journey
Image: Emma Fishman for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich. Prop stylist: Sophia Eleni Pappas.

Celebrating Nowruz: Andy Baraghani's Culinary Journey

FusePop swoosh logo

A Delicious Exploration of Persian New Year Traditions

AI Summary generated by Patrick Diola @ FusePop
3/15/2025

Celebrating Nowruz: Andy Baraghani's Culinary Journey

As spring arrives, chef and food writer Andy Baraghani invites us into the rich culinary world of Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebration that marks renewal, hope, and connection through food. With his deep Iranian-American roots, Baraghani transforms traditional recipes into contemporary culinary experiences that resonate with both first-generation immigrants and food enthusiasts.

Baraghani's Nowruz recipes are more than just meals—they're cultural narratives. His signature dishes like herbed rice with tahdig, fragrant herb frittata (kuku sabzi), and pomegranate-glazed lamb celebrate generations of family traditions while introducing innovative techniques that make Persian cuisine accessible to modern home cooks.

  • Herbed Rice with Crispy Tahdig: A golden-crusted rice dish that represents the sun's renewal
  • Kuku Sabzi: A vibrant herb frittata symbolizing spring's abundance
  • Pomegranate-Glazed Lamb: A centerpiece that honors familial gathering traditions

What makes Baraghani's approach unique is his ability to preserve cultural authenticity while encouraging culinary creativity. He transforms traditional recipes into approachable, beautiful dishes that invite people to explore Persian culinary heritage.

Through his recipes, Baraghani does more than cook—he tells stories of migration, resilience, and the universal language of food that connects generations and cultures. His Nowruz recipes are an invitation to celebrate renewal, diversity, and the joy of shared meals.

Related Articles on FusePop

Thanksgiving Prep: Your Ultimate Guide to a Stress-Free Feast
Dining & Wine

Thanksgiving Prep: Your Ultimate Guide to a Stress-Free Feast

5 Delicious Ways to Transform Leftover Rotisserie Chicken
Dining & Wine

5 Delicious Ways to Transform Leftover Rotisserie Chicken

Culinary Crossroads: Four Iconic Dishes That Tell a Delicious Story
Dining & Wine

Culinary Crossroads: Four Iconic Dishes That Tell a Delicious Story

Chocolate Guinness Cake: A St. Patrick's Day Delight
Dining & Wine

Chocolate Guinness Cake: A St. Patrick's Day Delight

Crab Rangoon: From Classic Appetizer to Culinary Inspiration
Dining & Wine

Crab Rangoon: From Classic Appetizer to Culinary Inspiration

Delightful Easter Lamb Meatballs: A Simple Festive Feast
Dining & Wine

Delightful Easter Lamb Meatballs: A Simple Festive Feast

Chocolate Mousse: A Delightful Passover Dessert That Everyone Will Love
Dining & Wine

Chocolate Mousse: A Delightful Passover Dessert That Everyone Will Love

Pikliz: The Fiery Haitian Meatball Tradition That Ignites Flavor
Dining & Wine

Pikliz: The Fiery Haitian Meatball Tradition That Ignites Flavor

Roasted Broccoli: The Delicious Superfood Transformation
Dining & Wine

Roasted Broccoli: The Delicious Superfood Transformation

German Pancake: A Delightful Morning Culinary Adventure
Dining & Wine

German Pancake: A Delightful Morning Culinary Adventure

Egg-cellent Alternatives: Delicious Breakfast Recipes with Fewer Eggs
Dining & Wine

Egg-cellent Alternatives: Delicious Breakfast Recipes with Fewer Eggs

Canlis Founders Mark and Brian Canlis Announce Separation of Business Paths
Dining & Wine

Canlis Founders Mark and Brian Canlis Announce Separation of Business Paths

Opening Your First Restaurant in New York? We Want to Hear From You.
Dining & Wine

Opening Your First Restaurant in New York? We Want to Hear From You.

Fresh and Light: Post-Holiday Recipes to Refresh Your Palate
Dining & Wine

Fresh and Light: Post-Holiday Recipes to Refresh Your Palate

Spring's Zesty Comfort: A Fresh Take on Puttanesca
Dining & Wine

Spring's Zesty Comfort: A Fresh Take on Puttanesca

Vegetarian Lasagna, Hand-Pulled Noodles and Pupusas
Dining & Wine

Vegetarian Lasagna, Hand-Pulled Noodles and Pupusas

Remembering David Lynch: A Shrine at Bob's Big Boy
Dining & Wine

Remembering David Lynch: A Shrine at Bob's Big Boy

Quick & Delicious: 15-Minute Shrimp Dinner That Will Wow Your Taste Buds
Dining & Wine

Quick & Delicious: 15-Minute Shrimp Dinner That Will Wow Your Taste Buds

Culinary Delights: A Journey Through Global Comfort Foods
Dining & Wine

Culinary Delights: A Journey Through Global Comfort Foods

Eleven Madison Park Granola: A Culinary Delight You Can Make at Home
Dining & Wine

Eleven Madison Park Granola: A Culinary Delight You Can Make at Home

The Shrinking Wine List: A New Trend in Dining
Dining & Wine

The Shrinking Wine List: A New Trend in Dining

The Perfect Pumpkin Pie: A Modern Take on a Thanksgiving Classic
Dining & Wine

The Perfect Pumpkin Pie: A Modern Take on a Thanksgiving Classic

Refreshing Mocktails and Alternatives for Dry January Success
Dining & Wine

Refreshing Mocktails and Alternatives for Dry January Success

Cookbook Throws: A Tasty New Mardi Gras Tradition
Dining & Wine

Cookbook Throws: A Tasty New Mardi Gras Tradition

Culinary Escape: How Salmon Can Transport You to Paradise
Dining & Wine

Culinary Escape: How Salmon Can Transport You to Paradise

Festive Thanksgiving Whiskey Cocktails That Will Impress Your Guests
Dining & Wine

Festive Thanksgiving Whiskey Cocktails That Will Impress Your Guests

Egg Substitutes: A Complete Guide for Baking and Cooking
Dining & Wine

Egg Substitutes: A Complete Guide for Baking and Cooking

Egg-onomics: Why Americans Are Turning to Potatoes This Easter
Dining & Wine

Egg-onomics: Why Americans Are Turning to Potatoes This Easter

Lemony Chicken-Feta Meatball Soup: A Mediterranean-Inspired Comfort Dish
Dining & Wine

Lemony Chicken-Feta Meatball Soup: A Mediterranean-Inspired Comfort Dish

A Sweet Diwali, New York Style
Dining & Wine

A Sweet Diwali, New York Style

Joe's Pizza: The Late-Night Haven for Saturday Night Live's Cast
Dining & Wine

Joe's Pizza: The Late-Night Haven for Saturday Night Live's Cast

Tennessee Onions: The Viral Side Dish Taking Dinner by Storm
Dining & Wine

Tennessee Onions: The Viral Side Dish Taking Dinner by Storm

15-Minute Pan-Seared Fish: Your New Favorite Weeknight Dinner
Dining & Wine

15-Minute Pan-Seared Fish: Your New Favorite Weeknight Dinner

Cottage Cheese Egg Bites: Your New Protein-Packed Breakfast Sensation
Dining & Wine

Cottage Cheese Egg Bites: Your New Protein-Packed Breakfast Sensation

A Taste of Beirut in Brooklyn
Dining & Wine

A Taste of Beirut in Brooklyn

Leonardo Patterson: The Rise and Fall of an Antiquities Dealer
Arts

Leonardo Patterson: The Rise and Fall of an Antiquities Dealer

Hot Food in the Fridge: What You Need to Know
Dining & Wine

Hot Food in the Fridge: What You Need to Know

A Tale of Four Carbones: My Coast-to-Coast Italian Fine Dining Journey
Dining & Wine

A Tale of Four Carbones: My Coast-to-Coast Italian Fine Dining Journey

Melissa Clark's Giant Jam Bun: A Delightful Twist on Classic Pastry
Dining & Wine

Melissa Clark's Giant Jam Bun: A Delightful Twist on Classic Pastry

After Dark at the Egyptian Museum: A Night of Culture and Celebration
T Magazine

After Dark at the Egyptian Museum: A Night of Culture and Celebration

Zesty Protein Power: Lemony Delights for Every Palate
Dining & Wine

Zesty Protein Power: Lemony Delights for Every Palate

DIY Gluten-Free Flour: Simple Recipes for Home Bakers
Dining & Wine

DIY Gluten-Free Flour: Simple Recipes for Home Bakers

The Ultimate Salmon Dish: A Culinary Masterpiece
Dining & Wine

The Ultimate Salmon Dish: A Culinary Masterpiece

Undocumented Restaurant Workers Face Uncertain Future Under Trump Policies
Dining & Wine

Undocumented Restaurant Workers Face Uncertain Future Under Trump Policies

Teppanyaki: Where Culinary Arts Meet Entertainment
Dining & Wine

Teppanyaki: Where Culinary Arts Meet Entertainment

Ultimate Irish Stew: A Comforting Classic Reimagined
Dining & Wine

Ultimate Irish Stew: A Comforting Classic Reimagined

No-Fuss, No-Mess Dinner Solutions
Dining & Wine

No-Fuss, No-Mess Dinner Solutions

Dive into Seafood: A Beginner's Guide to Eating More Fish
Dining & Wine

Dive into Seafood: A Beginner's Guide to Eating More Fish

How to Make the Best Baked Potato
Dining & Wine

How to Make the Best Baked Potato

Sesame Salmon Bowl: A Delicious Healthy Meal That Feels Like an Indulgence
Dining & Wine

Sesame Salmon Bowl: A Delicious Healthy Meal That Feels Like an Indulgence

Torrisi: Where New York City Becomes Culinary Poetry
Dining & Wine

Torrisi: Where New York City Becomes Culinary Poetry

Theater District Dining: Where Culinary Magic Meets Broadway Excitement
Dining & Wine

Theater District Dining: Where Culinary Magic Meets Broadway Excitement

From Table Scraps to Black Gold: A Day in the Life of a Compost Manager
Dining & Wine

From Table Scraps to Black Gold: A Day in the Life of a Compost Manager

Czech Beer Pouring: A Frothy Revolution in American Bars
Dining & Wine

Czech Beer Pouring: A Frothy Revolution in American Bars

Culinary Queens: Black Women Redefining New York's Creative Landscape
Dining & Wine

Culinary Queens: Black Women Redefining New York's Creative Landscape

Momofuku Ando: The Unsung Hero of Global Cuisine
Dining & Wine

Momofuku Ando: The Unsung Hero of Global Cuisine

The Egg Aisle Mystery: Why Prices and Availability Keep Changing
Dining & Wine

The Egg Aisle Mystery: Why Prices and Availability Keep Changing

Milk Tart: The Sweet Soul of South African Cuisine
Dining & Wine

Milk Tart: The Sweet Soul of South African Cuisine

Soup Mastery: A Beginner's Guide to Delicious Homemade Comfort
Dining & Wine

Soup Mastery: A Beginner's Guide to Delicious Homemade Comfort

Royal Danish Ballet Names New Artistic Director
Arts

Royal Danish Ballet Names New Artistic Director

Beat Grocery Inflation: Smart Budgeting Strategies
Dining & Wine

Beat Grocery Inflation: Smart Budgeting Strategies

Beyond Chicken: 3 Unexpected Potpies to Elevate Your Comfort Food Game
Dining & Wine

Beyond Chicken: 3 Unexpected Potpies to Elevate Your Comfort Food Game

A Superb, Speedy Chicken
Dining & Wine

A Superb, Speedy Chicken

Met Museum to Return Ancient Greek Bronze Artifact
Art & Design

Met Museum to Return Ancient Greek Bronze Artifact

Fusion Flavor: Matzo Ball Soup Meets Japanese Cuisine
Dining & Wine

Fusion Flavor: Matzo Ball Soup Meets Japanese Cuisine

Chicken Wellington: A Gourmet Twist on Classic Comfort Food
Dining & Wine

Chicken Wellington: A Gourmet Twist on Classic Comfort Food

Quick & Delicious: Shrimp Fried Rice That Transforms Weeknight Dinners
Dining & Wine

Quick & Delicious: Shrimp Fried Rice That Transforms Weeknight Dinners

Dining Out Defies Economic Odds: Restaurants Thrive Despite Inflation
Dining & Wine

Dining Out Defies Economic Odds: Restaurants Thrive Despite Inflation

Comforting Indian Dinner Recipes: Mattar Paneer and Beyond
Dining & Wine

Comforting Indian Dinner Recipes: Mattar Paneer and Beyond

Tariffs Hit Grocery Carts: Produce Prices Set to Climb
Dining & Wine

Tariffs Hit Grocery Carts: Produce Prices Set to Climb

Zesty Lemon-Pepper Tofu: A Vegetarian Delight
Dining & Wine

Zesty Lemon-Pepper Tofu: A Vegetarian Delight

The Quinoa Salad That's Winning Hearts and Palates
Dining & Wine

The Quinoa Salad That's Winning Hearts and Palates

Art Fraud Scandal: Expert Accused of Deceiving Versailles Palace
Art & Design

Art Fraud Scandal: Expert Accused of Deceiving Versailles Palace

Jjajangmyeon: The Black Noodle Dish That Captures Korea's Heart
Dining & Wine

Jjajangmyeon: The Black Noodle Dish That Captures Korea's Heart

Your Cooking Resolution Matchmaker Is Here
Dining & Wine

Your Cooking Resolution Matchmaker Is Here

Sweet Spring: 5 Irresistible Easter Desserts to Delight Your Family
Dining & Wine

Sweet Spring: 5 Irresistible Easter Desserts to Delight Your Family

New York's Hidden Wine Gem: 10 Cabernet Francs You Can't Miss
Dining & Wine

New York's Hidden Wine Gem: 10 Cabernet Francs You Can't Miss

Comfort Food Reimagined: The Ginger Scallion Chicken Revolution
Dining & Wine

Comfort Food Reimagined: The Ginger Scallion Chicken Revolution

The Art of Perfect Instant Ramen
Dining & Wine

The Art of Perfect Instant Ramen

From BBQ to Fine Dining: Hometown's Billy Durney Makes Manhattan Move
Dining & Wine

From BBQ to Fine Dining: Hometown's Billy Durney Makes Manhattan Move

Comfort Food Magic: Creamy Mac and Cheese for Your Perfect Thanksgiving
Dining & Wine

Comfort Food Magic: Creamy Mac and Cheese for Your Perfect Thanksgiving

How George Foreman Grilled His Way to Business Success
Dining & Wine

How George Foreman Grilled His Way to Business Success

The Surgeon General’s Warnings About Alcohol Hit Restaurants at a Tricky Time
Dining & Wine

The Surgeon General’s Warnings About Alcohol Hit Restaurants at a Tricky Time

Fun and Easy Recipes Kids Can Make Themselves
Dining & Wine

Fun and Easy Recipes Kids Can Make Themselves

Encountering Italy and Germany on a Road Trip Through Southern Brazil
Travel

Encountering Italy and Germany on a Road Trip Through Southern Brazil

This Holiday Roast Pork Recipe Is Totally Foolproof
Dining & Wine

This Holiday Roast Pork Recipe Is Totally Foolproof

What's on the Menu? These Restaurants Aren't Telling
Dining & Wine

What's on the Menu? These Restaurants Aren't Telling

Din Tai Fung: A Dumpling Destination in Manhattan
Dining & Wine

Din Tai Fung: A Dumpling Destination in Manhattan

NYC's Must-Try Pizza Spots: A Slice of Heaven
Dining & Wine

NYC's Must-Try Pizza Spots: A Slice of Heaven

Lazy Daisy Cake: The Simplest Dessert You'll Ever Make
Dining & Wine

Lazy Daisy Cake: The Simplest Dessert You'll Ever Make

Fresh Spring Veggie Pasta: 5 Delightful Meatless Recipes
Dining & Wine

Fresh Spring Veggie Pasta: 5 Delightful Meatless Recipes

Friday Night Feast: BBQ Pepper Shrimp Elevates Weekend Dining
Dining & Wine

Friday Night Feast: BBQ Pepper Shrimp Elevates Weekend Dining

Sunshine in a Bowl: The Ultimate Comfort Soup
Dining & Wine

Sunshine in a Bowl: The Ultimate Comfort Soup

Arugula: A Leafy Love Letter to Culinary Adventure
Dining & Wine

Arugula: A Leafy Love Letter to Culinary Adventure

Navigating Identity: Jewish American Voices in the Shadow of Conflict
Books

Navigating Identity: Jewish American Voices in the Shadow of Conflict

Chile Crisp Tofu: A Spicy Culinary Revolution
Dining & Wine

Chile Crisp Tofu: A Spicy Culinary Revolution

Stress-Free Holiday Hosting: Smart Meal Planning for Thanksgiving
Dining & Wine

Stress-Free Holiday Hosting: Smart Meal Planning for Thanksgiving

Gnocchi Shines With Sausage and Peppers
Dining & Wine

Gnocchi Shines With Sausage and Peppers

Truly Just Divine Weeknight Tantanmen
Dining & Wine

Truly Just Divine Weeknight Tantanmen

From Exotic Spice to American Gold: The Rise of Saffron Farming
Dining & Wine

From Exotic Spice to American Gold: The Rise of Saffron Farming