Pin it
Let me share my favorite Persian yogurt dip that turns any meal into something special! After learning this recipe from my Iranian friend's mother I've been making it almost weekly. That perfect balance of creamy yogurt crunchy cucumbers sweet raisins and earthy walnuts creates pure magic in every bite. The first time I served this at a dinner party my guests couldn't stop dipping their bread and asking for the recipe!
Why This Recipe Is Special
This isn't your ordinary yogurt dip! Each ingredient adds its own special touch the cucumbers bring freshness the walnuts add richness and those plump raisins give little bursts of sweetness. Last weekend when I brought this to a potluck three different people asked me to teach them how to make it. Even my kids who usually avoid new foods love scooping this up with warm bread!
What You'll Need
- The Base:
- Thick Greek yogurt full fat is best
- Fresh Persian cucumbers or English cucumber
- Crunchy walnuts roughly chopped
- Sweet raisins or sultanas
- Fresh dill and dried mint
- One perfect garlic clove
- For Garnishing:
- Dried rose petals if you can find them
- Extra herbs for sprinkling
- Your best olive oil for drizzling
Let's Start Creating
- Preparing Our Ingredients
- First we need to give those raisins a little spa treatment soaking them in cold water makes them extra plump and juicy! While they're soaking we'll dice our cucumbers nice and small then let them release their water with a sprinkle of salt.
- Building The Dip
- Now comes the fun part! Mix that creamy yogurt with our prepared ingredients watching everything come together into this beautiful white canvas. Every addition brings its own color and texture it's like creating edible art!
- The Final Touch
- Garnishing is where we make it truly special! A sprinkle of rose petals some extra herbs and that golden drizzle of olive oil transforms it into something you might find in a Persian restaurant.
Pin it
Making It Perfect
Want to know my secrets for the best Mast-o Khiar? Don't skip draining those cucumbers excess water will make your dip too thin. Chop everything into similar sizes so you get all the flavors in each bite. And here's my favorite tip let it sit for at least 30 minutes before serving lets all those flavors get friendly with each other!
Serving It Up
I love serving this in my prettiest bowl with warm flatbread alongside. It's perfect with grilled meats makes an amazing sandwich spread and honestly I sometimes just eat it by the spoonful! For parties I make a big batch and keep some extra garnishes on the side so guests can customize their portions.
Keeping It Fresh
This dip actually gets better after a few hours in the fridge! All those flavors have time to really develop together. I often make it the morning before a dinner party. Just remember to give it a good stir and maybe a fresh drizzle of olive oil before serving.
Mix It Up
Don't be afraid to make this recipe your own! Sometimes I'll add different herbs like fresh basil or mint. My spice-loving son adds a pinch of chili flakes to his portion. Once I tried it with pomegranate seeds instead of raisins absolute game changer! That's what makes cooking fun finding your perfect combination.
Pin it
Why This Recipe Matters
This dip has become more than just a recipe it's my way of sharing a piece of Persian culture! There's something so beautiful about how simple ingredients can come together to create something that's been enjoyed for generations. My kids are learning about different cuisines and cultures through food the best kind of education.
The best part isn't just how delicious it is it's seeing everyone discover the magic of Persian cuisine! Whether you're making it for a party serving it with a family meal or just enjoying it as a snack this never disappoints. And watching people experience these traditional flavors for the first time? That's what makes sharing recipes so special!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What type of yogurt is best?
- Greek yogurt is ideal for thickness, but any plain yogurt works if not too thin.
- → Can I use different cucumbers?
- Persian or English cucumbers work. For English, remove seeds to prevent excess water.
- → What can I serve this with?
- Serve with pita, flatbread, or alongside grilled meats. Perfect with kebabs and Middle Eastern dishes.
- → Why soak the raisins?
- Soaking plumps them up and improves texture. Any raisin variety works.
- → Can I make substitutions?
- Cashews or almonds can replace walnuts. Fresh mint works instead of dried. Rose petals are optional.