Recipes inspired by Queen Esther and her time in Persia, sure to nourish your body and your taste buds! Contributed by Stefanie Adler, Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Natural Chef, and Founder of Bright Bean Health.

They say that in order to keep kosher inside the palace, Esther ate a vegetarian diet. Some of us eat plant-based diets all the time, while others are grateful to find ethically raised and kosher animal products - but either way… one thing we can agree on? Fresh vegetables are good for us!

As you plan this year’s Purim menu, we’re going to spotlight a few Persian foods that are delicious for the soul, and healthy for the body.

Purim Party Recipe #1:

Persian Herb and Leek Frittata

Persian Herb and Leek Frittata | Serves: 6-8

Spices and herbs not only add amazing flavor to dishes, but they also act as booster foods, providing a nutritious punch in little amounts and are plentiful in Persian Cuisine.

Let’s talk about this herbaceous dish! Herbs pack a serious health punch, but often they play a supporting role in the meal, as a garnish or accent. This recipe puts them center stage:

Parsley and Cilantro are powerful foods for detox, helping to clear heavy metals like Lead and Mercury from our body.

Dill is full of antioxidants to help your cells fight free radicals, and it’s even an anti-cancer food (whfoods).

Leeks are a lovely flavor addition, but if you can’t find them, an onion will work!

Ingredients

5 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium leek, white and pale-green parts only, finely chopped
5 large eggs
1 teaspoon Himalayan Sea Salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
1½ cups finely chopped cilantro, about two bunches
1½ cups finely chopped dill, about two bunches
1½ cups finely chopped parsley, about two bunches
1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves, crushed

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375 F.
2. Heat 2 Tbsp. avocado oil in a 10" skillet over medium. Cook onion and leek, stirring occasionally, until very soft but not brown, 10–12 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool. Wipe skillet; set aside.
3. Whisk eggs, salt, baking powder, pepper, and turmeric in a large bowl. Using a rubber spatula, mix in onion mixture, cilantro, dill, parsley, and fenugreek. *Egg mixture should look thick and very green, the eggs are just holding it together!
4. Heat broiler. Heat remaining 3 Tbsp. oil in reserved skillet over medium.
5. Pour in egg mixture; spread evenly across pan with spatula. Cover (use a sheet pan if you don’t have a matching lid)  and cook frittata until bottom is set, 8–10 minutes.
6. Uncover and move to oven for 15-18 minutes. Check it occasionally,  watching until top is set. Let cool slightly, then slide out onto a platter.
7. Cut and serve with salad (recipe below) and/or a dollop of yogurt!

Purim Party Recipe #2

Persian Beet and Pomegranate Salad

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Persian Beet and Pomegranate Salad | Serves: 4-6

Beets are superfoods that help support your liver in detoxing the body.

This recipe is especially great for anyone in the post ovulation phase of their cycle, when the body begins to detox cyclically. It’s also great for anyone who just likes to eat DELICIOUS SALADS.

Ingredients

Dressing

½ tbsp pomegranate molasses
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp of dijon mustard
⅓ cup olive oil
salt, pepper
Optional: raw honey to taste

Salad

3-4 medium beets cooked
½ cup fresh pomegranate seeds
½ cup chopped cilantro
2 cups arugula or spring greens
3 spring onions, sliced on an angle
Optional: 1 cup cooked quinoa or goat cheese

Purim Party Recipe #3

Chai Golden Milk Lattes

Chai Golden Milk Lattes | Serves: 2

These Chai flavored turmeric lattes are filled with spices that are amazing for our hair, skin and health.

Cinnamon is full of antioxidants, it’s anti-inflammatory, and it helps our blood sugar response.

Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory as well, and less inflamation = healthier looking skin, and better feeling bodies!

Ingredients

1½ cups almond or hemp milk
1 ½ cups coconut milk  (sub for 3 cups of any non-dairy milk of choice)
½ tbs ground turmeric
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon each, cardamom, clove, allspice, ginger. Raw honey to taste.

Purim Party Recipe #4

Coconut Carob Bars

Coconut Carob Bars | Serves: 12

These carob bars from the Minimalist Baker offer a naturally sweetened treat, utilizing carob (similar to cacao, but sweet), common in Middle Eastern cooking.

You can also choose to add some maca powder, that adds “a honeycomb, caramel-like flavor but also provides health benefits like balancing your hormones and supporting thyroid function.” Yum!

Ingredients

1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp Coconut Butter (warmed to liquid texture in oven, stovetop, or microwave)
3 Tbsp (45 ml) coconut oil, melted
4 Tbsp (24 g) toasted carob powder
1 1/2 Tbsp (22 g) maca powder (adds adaptogenic benefits and caramel flavor!)
1-2 Tbsp (9-18 g) coconut flour (for thickening // or sub almond flour)
Healthy pinch sea salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend to combine until completely smooth, scraping down sides as needed.
2. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more carob powder for "chocolate" flavor or sweetness, maca powder for caramel flavor, salt for saltiness, vanilla for vanilla flavor, or coconut butter for creaminess. If it appears too liquidy, add the remaining 1 Tbsp (9 g) coconut flour. You're looking for a pourable liquid, but not too watery.
3. Pour into cupcake liner molds, a lined loaf pan, or silicone chocolate molds and let cool until firm. Depending on the temperature of your home, they may solidify at room temperature. If not, carefully transfer to the refrigerator until firm. Then remove from molds and enjoy. Because coconut butter chilled has some texture, don't be worried if the tops of your bars have a bit of ridging to them - that's totally normal!
4. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for 1 month or longer. Let thaw slightly before enjoying for best texture.

Purim parties are the best! A chance to dress up and a commandment to drink ensures a good time for many. If all this food has you feeling great and looking for additional ways to celebrate, explore how you can take this holiday and ritualize it.

Bonus Recipe: If you you want to be traditional, but you don’t want to stray from your anti-inflammatory diet these Grain-Free Hamentashens from Primal Palate will do the trick.

Hot Tip: Try adding these into your Mischloach Manot packages and sharing with your friends!

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