For an Extremely Cold Day

• Prev
• 1 of 4
• Next

When the cold is intense and staying indoors becomes unavoidable, Bukharian cooking turns practical and grounding. These are foods meant to warm the body rather than impress — made with cream, eggs, preserved beef, bread, and cheese. They are prepared slowly, eaten hot, and often enjoyed close to the stove. This is how Bukharian families have always cooked on the coldest days: simply, carefully, and with a focus on real comfort.

These dishes are not elaborate, and they are not meant to be. They are foods made to get through the cold — warming, filling, and familiar. This is Bukharian cooking at its most honest.

 

Qaymaq-e Garm

Warm Bukharian Cream

A traditional winter dish, gently heated and eaten warm for comfort and nourishment.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• Pinch of salt
• Small pat of butter (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat the cream slowly over very low heat.
2. Add salt and butter, if using.
3. Stir gently until warm and slightly thickened.
4. Serve immediately with bread.

---

 

Bukharian Cured Beef
(Served Warm)

Thinly sliced cured beef, gently warmed to release its aroma and richness — a traditional extreme-cold food.

Ingredients:

• Bukharian-style cured beef, thinly sliced

Instructions:

1. Place beef slices in a pan over very low heat.
2. Warm gently until aromatic and lightly glossy.
3. Serve immediately with bread and

 

---

 

Tokhum-e Qovurma

Slow-Fried Eggs in Onion Fat

Eggs cooked gently in deeply caramelized onion oil — simple, filling, and deeply warming.

Ingredients:

• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp oil
• 4 eggs
• Salt and black pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook onions slowly in oil over low heat until deeply golden.
2. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
3. Crack eggs into the pan.
4. Cover and cook gently until whites are set.
5. Serve hot with bread.

---

 

Non va Panir-e Garm

Warm Bread & Cheese

Bread and cheese, gently warmed and eaten while still soft — simple, comforting, and familiar.

Ingredients:

• Fresh bread
• White cheese

Instructions:

1. Warm bread lightly.
2. Heat cheese just until soft, not melted.
3. Serve together while warm.