so... i went home for the holidays, a trip that involved a handful of little jets, a couple of greyhound rides, and a singular, spectacular los angeles sunset. (it was a lot prettier than this picture would have you believe).

being home was wonderful. and, finally having access to a stove of my own, i did some cooking.



there were the christmas dinner pies--dutch apple and pumpkin, plus a quince tart. quinces courtesy of the scrawny sani tree.



and some roasted chicken with parsnips, dried apricots, prunes, and more quinces. cooked by my mom.

as was the burnt "tadigh"

and the koresh-eh beh, a stew with yellow split-peas, pan-fried eggplant, chicken legs, onions, tomatoes, and homemade french fries sprinkled on top. (the french fries were damn delicious ,which meant they were completely poached by my brother and i and had to be replaced with crushed lays potato chips).



when we recovered our appetites several days later, my dad made another stew. this one with chick peas, ground turkey, potatoes, and onions.