🍂 Coffee Date, Fall Food Finds ☕

Hi Reader!

I’m back and settling into the energy of fall after a special multi-generational trip. My husband Bob, our daughters Leyla and Ava, and my 86-year-old mom, Maman Minoo, all explored the streets of London and Paris together over the last few weeks.

This trip was a chance to travel in a “shoulder” month, off-season, now that both girls are officially done with school. Our younger daughter, Ava, joined us from New York, where she’s loving her new role on the product development team at a flashy, fun makeup company. Our older Leyla has been working hard on sales for a San Francisco-based software company. Working from home allows her the opportunity to explore where to live next.

Of our group, Bob was the one who was experiencing London and Paris for the first time. Both vibrant cities surpassed his expectations. We quickly figured out that being tall is a big plus for traveling! He was a trooper and a true gentleman, helping all his ladies with luggage and using his stature to quickly hail cabs.

A Taste of Home in London

We ate an absurd amount of pastries and croissants in Paris, of course, and enjoyed many incredible meals. One dinner that really stood out was in London: Berenjak. It was the perfect restaurant to kick off our family adventures.

As their founder, Kian Samyani, says, “Berenjak is much more than a restaurant. It’s family and culture, past, present, and future.”

The food was unique, rich, and delicious. It brought me joy to watch my mom walk around the restaurant, looking closely at each piece of old Persian artwork. The infamous black hummus I had read about definitely didn’t disappoint, and the melt-in-your-mouth Joojeh Kabab was one of the best we've ever had. The citrus and char-broiled flavors of the chicken were spot on! Berenjak means a crispy rice snack. Although they don’t serve Tahdig | Crispy Rice in the traditional sense, there were fun little crispy bits in their platter of polo—Yum! We will definitely be figuring out how to emulate that satisfying texture soon.

Early Morning European Inspiration

Beyond that unforgettable dinner, I fully enjoyed my early morning solo ventures. I’m an early riser, so no matter what continent I’m on, those quiet hours offer me a chance to see the towns as a local might, and to experience some really good everyday breakfasts.

My favorite solo breakfasts included the simple porridge oats with raspberry purée in London, and the fantastic French yogurt, fruit muesli, and roasted nut combo in Paris. Isn't the presentation so beautiful? I would never think to put grapes in my yogurt parfait, but why not? I’ve already been making variations of both at home, and I now have a craving to figure out how to make rich, creamy French yogurt from scratch.

Comfort Food Returns

The very first thing I cooked when we got back? A comforting bowl of Adas Polo, Persian rice with lentils and dates.

This is a nutritious, easy-to-digest dish for all ages. We make it with dates and raisins. I left out the nuts in my recipe this time, as my maman was still with us and has sensitive teeth. The main spice and flavor note of this rice dish is cinnamon, perfect for fall. It was a good, homey dish to help ease us back into routine.

Find the Oven Hug Adas Polo recipe here: Lentil and Date Rice | Adas Polo​

I also made a big batch of leftover soup. There's no recipe for this one. Always start with grilled onions and olive oil. If it's calling for a tomato base, try adding tomato paste to the fried onions, brown it a bit, and then add whichever veggies need using up, a bunch of veggie broth, and your favorite spices (my go-tos are turmeric, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, and dried Persian lime). Garbanzo beans are awesome in this soup combo. Sometimes I'll add some spinach at the end. Voila! Soups on.

Looking Ahead…

As the days get shorter and the leaves begin to turn in California, we are starting to think ahead to the holidays. We’ll be hosting Thanksgiving for the third year, taking over the reins from my in-laws. I’m sure I’ll be sharing some fun, new side dishes soon!

As I'm wrapping up, I'm wondering, what did you think of the coffee date format for this newsletter? I'm always intrigued and inspired after traveling. I hope this newsletter has given you some inspo as well.

• P.S. If you want more healthy food inspiration and Persian cultural insights, you can find me co-hosting the “Modern Persian Food” podcast!
• P.P.S. Don’t forget to follow Oven Hug on Instagram for weekly inspiration.
• Finally, if you or someone you love could use the support of a master health and wellness coach (that's me!), send them my way - Coach Bita Wellness.

Here are a few things I can help with:

​Coach Bita Wellness​

• Navigating perimenopause symptoms (sleep disturbances, mood changes, energy dips) by implementing dietary and exercise adjustments, and creating effective stress management routines.
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• Identifying and setting boundaries to balance the demands of work, aging parents, and growing children, helping you prioritize your own wellness without guilt.
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Having a health and wellness coach isn't a requirement; it's nice to have. I had someone gift a coaching package to his partner. Now, that's love!

That's all I've got. As always, hit reply and let me know how you're doing. Happy fall!

Oven Hugs & mine,

Bita