Iranian Americans

Iran is a populous country, located on the Asian continent. It is bounded by territories of the former Soviet Union, as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Turkey. The vast majority of Iranians are Muslim. Most Iranian immigrants in the United States arrived in the late 1970s and early 1980s and they were generally well-off economically.

Iran was formerly known as Persia, and Persian cuisine is quite flavorful and elaborate. Dishes are seasoned with herbs and spices such as scallions, parsley, coriander and saffron. A special butter known as ghee is a basic necessity in Iranian kitchens. Though rice is a staple, only basmati rice is used. It is cooked in a variety of ways. One way is to steam it with ghee, allowing a lightly browned crust to form at the bottom of the pot. Lamb is also frequently eaten in dishes such as stews, while chicken is considered a delicacy.