I don’t think her mum is Persian, or not fully at least. Some of the food is Persian but I’m sure Amelia has said her family is partly from Iraq. It’s considered very offensive to call an Iranian an Arab
it’s used as an insult!
Our rice is not bland, it’s how you’re suppsed to cook rice. You serve it with casseroles and meat dishes with salad and yogurts. Saffron has a very strong flavour if you use the proper stuff (not fake). It’s served with lots of butter and is often cooked with herbs and berries, not just plain. We usually add bread or potato to the fried “cake top”. I have no idea what Iraqis eat but I guess it could be similar, I mean, the country is next to us...