Ingredient appreciation — what makes Pakhlava special

What sets Pakhlava apart is the handling of pomegranate. In lesser versions this is treated as a background note. Here it's central and the fragrant and saffron-gilded result shows it. I've started buying it to cook with at home after this experience.

Azerbaijani cuisine reflects Turkic, Persian, and Caucasian influences meeting at a historical crossroads. The a wedding feast atmosphere was right for this kind of food. I had doshab grape molasses as recommended and it matched well. If you want to understand what makes this cuisine distinctive, Pakhlava is the place to start.