Ingredients

3 cups basmati rice
10 cups water
1 1/2 cups lentils
8 cups water
4 tablespoons oil
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon saffron
2 onions , thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves , chopped
3 tablespoons oil
1 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Adas Polo is a popular Persian dish made with lentils and basmati rice. The dish's sweetness comes from caramelized onions and raisins with a savory and aromatic flavor of saffron. It's mostly enjoyed with Fesenjan, a chicken dish, but it's perfect for vegetarians as well. The rice is partially cooked with parboil method, the onions and raisins are fried with aromatic spices to give them flavor, then it's layered with lentils and rest of the rice and baked in the oven to bring all flavors and ingredients together. This recipe is a traditional one and brings together sweet and savory flavors with a healthy twist. It's perfect for a family gathering or cookout with friends.

Instructions

1.Rinse the basmati rice with cold water for a few times until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in plenty of cold water with 2 tsp salt for 2 hours.
2.Rehydrate the saffron in 4 tbsp hot water.
3.Rinse the lentils with cold water and add them into 8 cups of boiling water with 1 tsp salt. Cook for 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
4.In a frying pan, heat 3 tbsp oil and fry the sliced onions until they turn golden brown.
5.Add garlic to the onions and fry for another minute.
6.In a separate pan, pour 3 tbsp oil and heat it. Saute raisins until they have swollen. Add cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, salt, and pepper and cook for 2 min.
7.Preheat the oven to 350 F.
8.Drain the rice and pour it into a large pot. Add 10 cups of boiling water and 1 tbsp oil to it. Add 1 tsp salt.
9.Cook for 6 minutes on high heat until the rice rises to the top of the water.
10.Drain the rice in a colander.
11.In a pot, spread a tablespoon of oil. Layer half of the par-cooked rice, lentils, saffron water, onion mix, and raisin mix. Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used up.
12.Put the lid on the pot and put it in the preheated oven and Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes.

PROS

The sweet and savory flavor of caramelized onions and raisins give flavor to the plain lentil rice.
It’s a complete meal and requires no other dishes to serve with it.
It’s also gluten-free and vegan.

CONS

The recipe might be time-consuming, but it’s worth the time invested.
Basmati rice is high in carbohydrates, so a small portion is recommended.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

This dish is a complete protein source, which makes it perfect for vegetarians. Lentils are high in dietary fiber, protein, and iron.
It also contains saffron which is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The fiber content in the raisins improves digestion and the immune system.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.