
04 Jun, 2025
Persian Food Guide
Mastering Kebab, Tahdig & More with the Right Tools
Persian cuisine is a rich and intricate blend of aromatic herbs, slow-cooked stews, tender meats, and delicately steamed rice. Each dish embodies a harmonious balance—between sweet and sour, soft and crisp, warm spices and fresh ingredients. Whether preparing a saffron-infused stew, grilling succulent kebabs, or achieving the signature golden crust of tahdig, the right tools are essential for capturing the authentic flavors and textures of Iranian cooking. From a high-quality rice cooker to a reliable charcoal grill, having the proper equipment is key to bringing the artistry of Persian cuisine into your kitchen.
1. Chelo
No Persian meal is truly complete without chelo—steamed basmati rice crowned with a crisp, golden crust known as tahdig. Achieving this distinctive texture demands precision, patience, and the right equipment. A high-quality rice cooker can simplify the process, allowing you to consistently produce light, aromatic rice and a perfectly formed tahdig with ease and reliability.
Equipment: Rice Cooker
- Omcan CE-CN-0060-E 64 Cups Commercial Electric Rice Cooker
The Omcan CE-CN-0060-E is built for high-volume kitchens, delivering consistent, evenly cooked rice with its 64-cup capacity. Perfect for preparing chelo, it ensures fluffy basmati rice and a crisp, golden tahdig. Durable and efficient, it’s ideal for restaurants, caterers, and large-scale food service operations.
2. Kebabs
Char-grilled meats are central to Persian cuisine, with dishes like koobideh (minced meat), barg (marinated steak), and jujeh (saffron chicken) showcasing the rich, smoky flavors achieved through open-flame cooking. Preparing these traditional kebabs requires precise heat control and high, even temperatures. A commercial charbroiler, whether charcoal or gas-powered, is essential for delivering the sear, consistency, and authentic flavor that define expertly grilled Persian meats in professional culinary settings.
Equipment: Charbroiler
- Vollrath CBGHD-24 24″ Gas Radiant Charbroiler
The Vollrath CBGHD-24 delivers even, high heat across its 24-inch surface—perfect for grilling Persian kebabs like koobideh, barg, and jujeh. Its radiant heat ensures consistent searing and authentic flavor, making it a durable, efficient option for busy commercial kitchens.
3. Khoresh
Equipment: Stock Pot Range
- Imperial ISPA-18 Single Burner Natural Gas Stock Pot RangeThe Imperial ISPA-18 offers reliable, precise heat control—perfect for slow-simmering iconic Persian khoresh dishes like Fesenjan, Ghormeh Sabzi, and Gheimeh. Built with durability in mind and powered by an efficient natural gas burner, it guarantees even cooking and excellent heat retention, making it an essential tool for professional kitchens aiming to deliver deeply flavorful, authentic stews every time.
4. Barbari
Equipment: Deck Oven
- Imperial ISPA-18 Single Burner Natural Gas Stock Pot RangeThe Imperial ISPA-18 provides precise heat control and even cooking, ideal for simmering Persian khoresh dishes like Fesenjan and Ghormeh Sabzi. Its durable design and efficient burner also support preparing traditional barbari flatbread accompaniments, making it a versatile choice for professional kitchens.
5. Baghlava
Equipment: Mixer
- Hobart N50-60 5 Qt Planetary Countertop MixerThe Hobart N50-60 delivers precise and powerful mixing performance, ideal for crafting delicate Persian desserts such as Baghlava. Its robust design and versatile attachments ensure consistent texture and thorough ingredient incorporation, making it an indispensable asset for professional kitchens specializing in authentic pastry preparation.
- Globe SP20 20 Qt Gear Driven Planetary MixerThe Globe SP20 offers powerful, precise mixing ideal for preparing traditional Persian desserts like Baghlava in larger batches. Its durable gear-driven design and versatile attachments provide consistent texture and thorough blending, making it an essential tool for professional kitchens focused on authentic pastry production.
6. Kuku Sabzi
Equipment: Griddle
- Star Max 624MF 24″ Manual Natural Gas GriddleThe Star Max 624MF provides precise and uniform heat distribution, ideal for preparing traditional Persian dishes such as Kuku Sabzi. Its robust construction and manual temperature controls enable gentle, consistent cooking to achieve the perfect texture while preserving moisture. This griddle is a valuable asset for professional kitchens dedicated to authentic Persian cuisine.
- Atosa ATMG-48-NG 48″ Manual Natural Gas Griddle
The Atosa ATMG-48-NG offers reliable, even heat distribution across its generous 48-inch cooking surface, making it ideal for preparing traditional Persian dishes like Kuku Sabzi. With precise manual temperature controls, it allows for gentle, controlled cooking to achieve the perfect texture without over-drying. Engineered for durability and performance, this griddle is a dependable solution for professional kitchens focused on authentic and consistent results.
7. Mirza Ghasemi
Equipment: Salamander Broiler
- EFl RCTSM-36 36″ Propane Gas SalamanderThe EFL RCTSM-36 is designed to deliver high-intensity, focused heat across its 36-inch broiling surface, making it particularly well-suited for traditional Persian dishes such as Mirza Ghasemi. Its powerful, adjustable heat output ensures thorough charring of eggplants, essential for achieving the dish’s distinctive smoky flavor. Built for durability and precise performance, this salamander broiler is an excellent addition to professional kitchens seeking consistent and authentic culinary results.
- American Range ARSM-36 36″ Propane Gas SalamanderThe American Range ARSM-36 features powerful, precise heat distribution over its 36-inch broiling surface, ideal for preparing classic Persian dishes such as Mirza Ghasemi. Its efficient propane flame enables effective charring of eggplants, crucial for capturing the dish’s authentic smoky essence. Built for long-lasting performance and dependable use, this salamander broiler is a valuable asset for professional kitchens striving for consistent and genuine culinary quality.