Tag Archives: Recipe books

A heart-warming story of resilience and Persian culinary culture with mouth-watering recipes that are simple, flexible and full of flavour.

In Iran Hamed was a chef and restaurateur but he was also frequently in trouble with the religious police. When a crisis of faith imperilled his life, Hamed was forced to flee to Australia by boat with his pregnant girlfriend for his own safety. They travelled to Indonesia and then to Australia where they were detained for five months, shortly after their release their daughter was born.

It was natural for Hamed to gravitate towards food after his perilous escape and journey to Australia. His first dream was to find work: without English or local experience, that was hard enough. His next ambition was to open a business: his heartfelt cafe and restaurant SalamaTea launched in 2019. As soon as he could, Hamed employed fellow refugees and asylum seekers at SalamaTea, giving them the work experience that he found so hard to come by himself.

In Salamati Hamed melds Persian culinary culture and an understanding of
different flavours to create recipes that are truly his – and now ours – to share. Hamed’s food is anchored in tradition but with recipes which are accessible to all, celebratory and appealing. With every swipe of warm lavash through herbed adami dip, every bite of braised lamb with dried lime and saffron rice, Hamed shines a light on his Persian past as he continues to build an optimistic future.

Packed with beautiful recipes and gorgeous photography throughout, Salamati is full of authentic and accessible dishes:
• Ghahve Khunee Omelette (Street Food Tomato Omelette)
• Halim Bademjan (Lamb, Lentil and Eggplant Casserole)
• Fesenjun (Walnut and Pomegranate Chicken Stew)
• Sabzi Polow Ba Mahi (Fish with Herb Pilaf)
• Khoresh Bamieh (Slow-cooked Beef and Okra)
• Lubia Polow (Green Bean Pilaf)
• Persian Love cake
• Bastani Sonnati (Persian Ice Cream)
Wherever you live and whatever your background, you are invited to join the feast.

Continue reading “Review: Salamati, by Hamed Allahyari, with Dani Valent”