Rice, known as "polo" or "chelo" in Persian, holds a central role in Iranian cuisine. Often served at lunch and dinner, it's the perfect accompaniment to absorb the rich flavors of various Iranian ...

This combination of photos shows photo Omid Roustaei, left, and his cookbook "Bitter & Sweet: Global Flavors from an Iranian-American Kitchen." (Richard J Wardell via AP, left, and Weldon Owen ...

This combination of photos shows photo Omid Roustaei ... and served by the bunch for munching at the table. “To us in Persian food, herbs are not treated as little, cute things you put on ...

“To us in Persian food, herbs are not treated as little, cute things you put on the side of the plate, but rather herbs to us are vegetables,” said Roustaei, author of the new cookbook ...