Hi, I’m Margaret.
More than 40 years ago, I married my husband, who is Persian. As we began our life together in Australia, I became fascinated by the rich flavours, traditions and hospitality that are such an important part of Persian culture.
In those early years, we didn’t have the benefit of a large extended family nearby, so I set out to learn how to cook the dishes my husband remembered from home. I spent years searching for authentic recipes, experimenting with ingredients, and adapting traditional dishes so they could be recreated with ingredients readily available in Australia.
I spent years searching for authentic recipes, experimenting with ingredients, and adapting traditional dishes so they could be recreated with ingredients readily available in Australia.
Many recipes evolved over time as I learnt new techniques and refined them until they captured the flavours we remembered and became treasured family favourites. Friends often asked for the recipes, and eventually that inspired me to create Persian Recipes.
More than twenty years after we married, we were fortunate to reconnect with my husband’s family. It has been a wonderful opportunity to learn even more about Persian cooking, compare family recipes, and continue appreciating the traditions that make this cuisine so special.
Today, Persian Recipes is a collection of recipes inspired by decades of cooking, learning and sharing. While I always strive to honour traditional Persian flavours, I also believe these wonderful dishes should be accessible to home cooks everywhere, using ingredients they can easily find.
Whether you’re discovering Persian cuisine for the first time or looking for a taste of home, I hope these recipes bring as much joy to your table as they have to ours.
Welcome, and happy cooking!
Margaret Shakibaie
Founder, Persian Recipes