Christmas sparkle 🌲✨

POV: You’re already dreaming up your next tablescape 🍽️ #hosting #hostingseason #fauxfloraldesign #holidaydecor #tablescapeideas

Where flavors tell stories and love is the main ingredient 🏠 🍽️ #cookingdiary #kitchenchronicles #homemade #theartofslowliving

This dish is called Kousa, also known as Dolma. There are so many beautiful versions of Kousa across the Middle East - each with its own story. This version is close to my heart as it’s my Armenian mother-in-law’s Syrian-Lebanese recipe. It’s comfort food at home, but also a hosting favorite - cozy enough for family dinners, elegant & hearty for guests when they come over. Tender grey squash is hollowed out and filled with a savory mix of rice, ground beef, tomato, garlic, and Aleppo pepper, then simmered in a fragrant broth infused with lemon and mint until soft and full of flavor. Here’s how I make it & always remember to adjust with love and taste to your liking: FILLING: 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or 90/10 - your preference) 1 cup Calrose rice, washed and drained 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste Salt and black pepper, to taste 1 tbsp Aleppo pepper ⅓ cup garlic paste (my own preference) FOR THE BROTH: Fresh lemon juice, to taste Dried mint, to taste Salt, to taste TO COOK: Arrange the stuffed squash snug in a pot, placing a small plate on top to keep them from floating. Pour in enough water to cover the squash, then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low until the squash is tender. Add salt, mint, and lemon juice to the broth, tasting as you go until it’s balanced and to your liking. Simmer gently for 45 minutes until the squash is tender but still holds its shape. Avoid overcooking - you want each one soft, but intact. Enjoy! xo #homemade #kousa #dolma #hosting #hostess

To all my host loving ladies, this one is for you. Ashtalieh is a comforting Lebanese milk pudding - creamy and fragrant with a gentle hint of rose and orange blossom water. The perfect dessert for the host who loves to serve something decadent and always elegant on the table. Let’s make it: ASHTALIEH 4 cups milk 2 cups whipping cream ½ cup sugar ½ tsp mastic ¾ cup cornstarch 2 tbsp orange blossom water 2 tbsp rose water (I only add rose water) Combine all Ashtalieh ingredients in a pot. Turn the heat to medium and stir constantly until thickened - this helps avoid clumps. Once thickened, add your rose and/or orange blossom water. Before pouring the mixture into your mold, wet the mold lightly - this creates a thin water barrier so the pudding releases easily once set. Turn off the heat, pour the mixture into the mold, and refrigerate for 24 hours (or until firm). SYRUP 2 cups sugar 1 cup water 1 tbsp lemon juice Simmer all syrup ingredients until slightly thick and sticky. Pour syrup over your Ashtalieh and garnish with crushed pistachios. Enjoy! 🤍 Dessert stand from: @mariposa Mold: linked in my Amazon storefront #hosting #recipe #ashtalieh #dessert #homemade

In this little hostess nook, chaos and charm coexist and somehow, I always know where everything is. 🪄

Just bring yourselves #hostaholic 🍽️ 🍷

LIQUID SAFFRON: Skip the slow mortar & pestle, use a coffee grinder to pulverize saffron threads into a super fine powder. This helps release maximum color and flavor instantly. Trust me, this hack is the real golden touch. Thanks mom! ✨

My favorite job to date 👩🏻‍🍳 {Crispy Persian Saffron Rice Bites with Chicken} Tahcheen Ba Morgh #persianfood #iranian #iran #tahcheen #tahchin

A little glimpse into my Siena’s Sephora inspired 10th birthday party. Can’t wait to share more! 🤍 Planning, Design, & Florals: @parisakaprealian @prettypleasedesignbyparisa Backdrop & Balloons: @backdropsbycaroline Photography: @irmalion.fam @irmalion Cake: @belladonnasweets Crafts & Photo Booth: @createandcelebratekids

POV: It’s almost the first day of Spring and you’re Iranian. Let me introduce you to the beauty of Persian New Year {Norooz} and the traditional details behind this decorative setup. 💚🤍♥️ Persian New Year has been celebrated for over 3,000 years and it is one of the most ancient and continuously celebrated holidays in history. Originating in ancient Persia (modern day Iran), Norooz now transcends national and religious boundaries, embraced by over 15 countries and diverse faiths. Marking the vernal equinox (the start of Spring - circa March 19, 20, or 21, dependent on the exact moment the sun crosses the celestial equator), Norooz is filled with cultural festivities, and family gatherings, with a core theme of renewal, joy, prosperity and togetherness. This year Norooz will be on Thursday, March 20, at 2:02 AM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) in California and we are ready to celebrate. Iranians have a quintessential Norooz tradition where we decorate a Haft-Seen table. The Haft-Seen table is an elaborate spread and arrangement of seven symbolic items, each beginning with the Persian letter “S” (س) representing virtues essential for the year ahead. These items include: • Sabzeh (sprouted wheat or lentils) – representing growth • Samanu (sweet pudding) – symbolizing strength and abundance • Senjed (dried oleaster fruit) – love and wisdom • Seer (garlic) – health and protection • Seeb (apple) – beauty • Somāq (sumac) – sunrise • Serkeh (vinegar) – patience and the wisdom of age Beyond these, the Haft-Seen often features a mirror (self-reflection), candles (enlightenment), painted eggs (fertility and family), goldfish (life and movement), a holy book of choice, the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi, or the poetry of Hafez. Wishing all who celebrate a Happy Norooz ahead! “Har roozehtoon norooz, noroozehtoon pirooz!” Haft-Seen Design, Decor, & Florals: @parisakaprealian @prettypleasedesignbyparisa . . . #persiannewyear #norooz #nowruz #iran #iranian #haftseen #haftsin #springcelebration #traditional #culture #celebration #springequinox #sabzeh #eyd #eid #prettypleasedesign #tttnowruzwaltz #haftsin_irani #haftseen #haftseentablemeaning

Persian New Year {Norooz} ready 💚🤍♥️ Haft-Seen Styling, Design, Decor & Florals: @parisakaprealian @prettypleasedesignbyparisa . . #persiannewyear #norooz #nowruz #iran #iranian #haftseen #haftsin #springcelebration #traditional #culture #celebration #springequinox #sabzeh #eyd #eid #prettypleasedesign #tttnowruzwaltz #haftsin_irani #haftseen #haftseentable

This years Christmas tree 🌲 #prettypleasedesign #homesweethome