Subject: Happy New Year + Ideas For Dinner Tonight Today, March 20, 1988 marks the beginning of Spring. Beginning of Spring marks the Iranian New Year. Spring officially begins at: Greenwich Meantime: 07 hr 54 min 46 sec p.m. March 20, 1997 North America: Eastern: 02 hr 54 min 54 sec p.m. March 20, 1998 Central: 01 hr 54 min 54 sec p.m. March 20, 1998 Mountain: 12 hr 54 min 54 sec p.m. March 20, 1998 Pacific: 11 hr 54 min 31 sec a.m. March 20, 1998 Iran Time: 11 hr 24 min 31 sec p.m. on Friday 29 Esfand 1376 Khorshidi (Solar). The Iranian Khorshidi year 1377 begins on 21st March 1998. Below, I have attached some information about the Iranian New Year and have also included the recipe for the Now-Ruz traditional meal. If you don't have any plans for dinner tonight, may be we can consider 'Sabzi-Polo Mahi'. Iranian New Year (Now-Ruz actually means "new day") takes place on the first day of spring. Celebration of the New Year calls for thorough housecleaning -- fresh paint if necessary -- and new clothes. The celebration centers on the Haft-Seen table, displaying at least seven dishes, each beginning with the Persian letter seen. Sabzeh (sprouts) represents rebirth; samanu (a pudding from sprouted wheat) represents growth; seer (garlic) stands for healing power; serkeh (vinegar) symbolizes fermentation and patience; senjed (the sweet, dry fruit of the lotus family) means love; somagh (sumac) symbolizes the spice of life; sonbol (hyacinth) stands for spring rebirth; sekeh (gold or silver coins) stands for prosperity; sohan (a sweet made from honey and nuts) recalls the sweetness of life; and seeb (apple) is a sign of health and beauty. The table also holds a copy of the Holy Koran; a mirror to reflect life; goldfish in a bowl to signify life; sweets; colored eggs (more rebirth); greens, cheese and bread; and candles to signify the light of life. It is also customary to display photographs of loved ones who are not present. Minutes before the arrival of the new year -- 2:55 p.m. this year -- family members gather around the ceremonial table. The family elder reads a passage from the Koran, and all exchange hugs, kisses and wishes for the brand new year. SABZU POLO and KOOKOO SABZI with fish is a family meal that is traditionally eaten throughout the country at the New Year holiday. Attached is the recipe. Fragrant Herb Rice - SABZI POLO 3 cups basmati rice (long grain) water 1 cup finely-chopped fresh chives 1 cup finely-chopped fresh parsley 1 cup finely-chopped fresh dill ½ cup finely-chopped fresh coriander 2 oz unsalted butter pinch of salt Rinse the herbs thoroughly and chop them. Wash the rice until the water is clear, then drain it. Boil 5 cups of water in a pan, add a pinch of salt. Mix herbs into the rice and add to the pan of boiling water. a couple of times to separate the rice grains, then cook uncovered on a medium heat. Simmer for about twenty minutes until the rice is partly cooked but still firm -- dente. Strain into a colander, and melt the butter and 2 tbs in the pan. Pour half the liquid into a cup and keep it to one side. Then put the rice back into butter/water in the pan. With a spoon move the rice away from the sides of the pan, forming it into a kind of tower in the centre. use the spoon handle to prod 5 or 6 ventilation holes in rice. Put the lid on and turn up the heat until you hear sizzling sounds. That’s when you pour the remaining melted butter/water over the rice. Cover the lid with a cloth (something like a tea towel will do), put the lid on and reduce the heat to very low. Leave it to cook while you get on with the other dishes. To see if it is done, wet your finger and touch the side of the pan near the bottom. If it sizzles it is ready! To put a plate over the top of the pan and turn it upside down. The rice tower should turn out onto the plate a rice cake with a crispy top! Herb Omelette - KOOKOO SABZI ½ cup finely chopped fresh dill ½ cup finely chopped fresh parsley ½ cup finely chopped fresh chives ¼ cup of barberries (optional) (or any small sour berry) ¼ cup chopped walnuts pinch of salt 5 eggs 4 tbs vegetable oil Wash the herbs and chop them up very finely, then mix them with the chopped nuts and the berries. Break the eggs into a bowl and beat them till they're frothy, then into the herbs, nuts and berries. Add a pinch of salt. Heat the oil in a frying pan and when it's hot (a dab of mixture should sizzle), pour in the eggs etc. Spread it out in the pan and cover with a lid. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the omelette has risen a bit and has set. The bottom should be golden. When the omelette is firm to the touch, cut it into six pieces. Turn them and cook until its all golden on the other side. Then Sabzu Polo and Kookoo Sabzi are commonly eaten with fish at the New Year you can cook the fish any way you like -- fry it, bake it , grill it, steam it. FRIED FISH Salmon steaks or Seabass 1 tablespoon flour a pinch of salt and pepper 1 tablespoon oil A knob of butter Wash and dry the fish. Mix the salt and pepper into the flour in a plate and coat both sides of the fish in it. Heat the oil in a frying pan, add a knob of butter. Fry fish on both sides till it is golden. Serve with the rice and omelette. Happy New Year! Sale Nou Mobarak!