🍽️Vegetable Dish

Persian-Style Zucchini and Cheddar Stew (Khorak Kadoo)

Name: Persian-Style Zucchini and Cheddar Stew (Khorak Kadoo)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Vegetable Dish
Ingredients: 1 zucchini, sliced; 2 bell peppers, sliced; 1/2 tomato, chopped; 1 onion, thinly sliced; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 6 slices cheddar cheese, grated; A small amount of fresh basil, chopped; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste

"A vibrant and comforting fusion of tender garden vegetables draped in a velvety layer of melted cheddar and aromatic basil."

Prep:10 min

Cook:45 min

LevelMedium

Analyzing...

● Ingredients

1 zucchini, sliced
2 bell peppers, sliced
1/2 tomato, chopped
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 slices cheddar cheese, grated
A small amount of fresh basil, chopped
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

🌱 Vegetarian🌱 Gluten-Free🌱 Low-Carb🌱 Persian-Fusion⚡ Medium

❤️Health75%

😋Taste88%

🥳Joy82%

👨‍🍳Difficulty20/100

📜 The Story

Khorak Kadoo is a traditional Persian vegetable medley typically celebrated for its simplicity and reliance on seasonal summer squash. This specific variation introduces sharp cheddar cheese, a fusion twist that transforms a humble vegetable stir-fry into a rich, comforting stew suitable for modern palates.

🧬 Flavor DNA

🍋Sour

4/10

🧂Salty

6/10

🌶️Spicy

2/10

🍯Sweet

4/10

🍄umami

7/10

☕Bitter

1/10

✨ Sensory Profile

"The dish offers a vibrant visual of golden zucchini and bright peppers enveloped in a velvety, molten cheese blanket. Aromas of sweet basil and caramelized garlic rise from the pan, while the texture balances the slight crunch of sautéed vegetables with a luscious, creamy finish."

Chef's Mastery

💡

The Secret

For a deeper flavor, allow the zucchini to slightly brown before adding the cheese; this creates a smoky contrast to the creamy cheddar.

⚠️

Avoid This

Adding the tomatoes too early in the process, which can make the dish too watery and prevent the cheese from melting into a cohesive sauce.

❄️

Storage

Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in a pan over low heat with a splash of water to restore the texture.

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat until it shimmers lightly.

Add the zucchini, bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Sauté for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and release their aroma.

Stir in the chopped basil and cook for 30 seconds to gently bloom its flavor.

Sprinkle the grated cheddar evenly over the vegetables. Cover the pan and allow the cheese to melt, forming a creamy layer over the stew.

Add the chopped tomato and gently fold everything together. Cook for about 5 minutes, until tender and cohesive.

Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve warm, ideally with fresh bread to soak up the juices.