Tahdig Art with Varta

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Do you like carbs?  How about Fried carbs?? Today’s guest on the podcast, Varta Ariaban, describes tahdig as the ultimate fried carb. Varta is a talented food artist specializing in both sweet and savory. On the sweet side she makes beautiful bite-sized modern persian treats. On the savory side Varta loves preparing tahdig with fun designs </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tahdig tips</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">It’s all in trial and error, learning and knowing your cookware and your stove/burner. </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Go low and slow</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Use a small, sauce pan pot</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Dark, non-stick pots give good results</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Find a perfect size platter, plate or cake stand for the flipping out of the crispy rice tahdig - Varta likes using a cake stand from Crate and Barrel that fits perfectly over her sauce pan/pot</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Tortilla tahdig is fool-proof, easy method</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Use enough oil - about a quarter of an inch</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Press the rice in tightly for the tahdig part</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Making a version with the yogurt mixture can be easier than going for some of the more complex, easier to burn versions, but may not be as crunchy</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">For tahdig art use a kitchen designated Exacto knife an