Traditional cucumber salad

Traditional cucumber salad

Main dishes

A refreshing and flavorful salad, unique to the Shemirzad region of Iran. Perfect for summer meals.

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Shemirzad’s cucumber salad is a traditional dish originating from the Sistan and Baluchestan province in Iran. This salad consists of a variety of vegetables and slow-cooked lamb meat, creating a unique texture and flavor.

Ingredients and directions

  • Prep time30 min
  • Cook time4 hr
  • Resting1 hr
  • Total5 hr 30 min
  • DifficultyMedium
  • CostModerate
  • Cooking methodslow cooking
  • Estimated cost$24.84 $3.11 / serving Estimated price; varies by store. Converted from euros at the ECB rate of October 7, 2026.

Ingredients

8 people
  • $1.46
  • $2.97
  • $0.38
  • $2.07
  • $5.58
  • $2.78
  • $7.00
  • $1.48
  • $1.12

Prices from US supermarkets for 8 of 9 ingredients; Belgian prices for the rest.

Directions

  1. Cook the pre-soaked rice, using a slightly larger quantity than usual.
  2. Then, add the cooked lentils and the rice pilaf. ≈ 3 min
  3. After cooking for about two minutes, drain everything. ≈ 2 min
  4. Cut the meat into thin slices and season it with turmeric, black pepper, spices, and a pinch of salt. ≈ 8 min
  5. First, pour the oil paint into the container. ≈ 3 min
  6. Next, add a pinch of turmeric, then pour in the cooked rice, vegetables, lentils, and seasoned meat. ≈ 2 min
  7. Place the meat on top of the rice. ≈ 3 min
  8. Next, add a small amount of extra rice over the meat, making sure to distribute it evenly around and between the ingredients. ≈ 3 min
  9. Next, add the remaining rice to the other ingredients and cook over low heat for 3 to 4 hours, to ensure the meat is also cooked through.
  10. Next, transfer the dish to a serving plate, ensuring that the filling is evenly distributed, including along the edges of the plate. ≈ 2 min
  11. Serve. ≈ 2 min
  12. In Shemirzad, it is sometimes possible to let the rice rest for a while before preparing a soup by mixing the cooked rice with lentils, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit jam or prune puree.
  13. The soup is then cooked at a very low temperature until it thickens.
  14. This product contains 985 grams of carbohydrates, 250 grams of protein, 27 grams of fat, and 5210 calories. ≈ 3 min
  15. It is best to choose a tender veal cut, selecting either the upper or central portion of the rib. ≈ 3 min
  16. The herbs used in the preparation include mint, parsley, cilantro, flat-leaf parsley, and a small amount of pastis. ≈ 3 min
  17. At Shemirzad, it is essential to prepare this stew with raw meat (not pre-cooked). ≈ 3 min

The bill

Traditional cucumber salad

  • rice: 5 cups$1.46
  • Cooked lentils: 2 cups$2.97
  • Turmeric, a spice blend, black pepper, and salt: as needed$0.38
  • Beets: 5 pieces$2.07
  • Small sweet potatoes: 5 pieces$5.58
  • Small Brussels sprouts: 3 to 4 heads (halved)$2.78
  • Grilled and sliced eggplant: 3 to 4 pieces$7.00
  • Sautéed spinach with fried onions and grapes: 250 grams$1.48
  • dried olives: 100 grams$1.12

Total$24.84

that's $3.11 per person

Estimated price; varies by store.

Before you start

Ingredients

  • rice: 5 cups
  • Cooked lentils: 2 cups
  • Chopped vegetables: 500 grams
  • Lamb: 750 to 1 kilogram
  • Turmeric, a spice blend, black pepper, and salt: as needed
  • Beets: 5 pieces
  • Small sweet potatoes: 5 pieces
  • To: 2 copies (double-sided)
  • Small Brussels sprouts: 3 to 4 heads (halved)
  • Grilled and sliced eggplant: 3 to 4 pieces
  • Sautéed spinach with fried onions and grapes: 250 grams
  • dried olives: 100 grams

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