Persian Rice With Barberries (Zereshk Polow)

May 22, 2023May 22, 20230 2

Persian Rice With Barberries (Zereshk Polow) - A delicious and colorful Iranian dish

by The Chefin Main

Prep

180 min

Cook

45 min

Ready In

225 min

Level

Difficult

Rating

Ingredients

	1 cup rice ( the kind you have to soak a long time from a Iranian shop )
	water
	1/2 cup dried barberries ( found in Iranian shops )
	2 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
	2 tablespoons saffron water ( Persian Saffron Water )
	5 tablespoons butter , divided
	1/8 teaspoon advieh persian mixed spice ( Advieh - Persian Spice Mix )
	sea salt , to taste

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

501

Sugar

11g

Fat

23g

Persian Rice With Barberries (Zereshk Polow) is a traditional Iranian dish that is usually served on special occasions. The combination of rice, barberries and saffron gives it a unique flavor that is loved by many. The dish is often decorated with slivered almonds and pistachios to make it more eye-catching. It is a complete meal that is enjoyed with meat or chicken dishes. The dish is not only delicious but also visually appealing and is sure to impress your guests.

Instructions

1.	Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in cold water for at least 2-3 hours or overnight.
2.	In a pan, add the barberries, 1/2 tbsp of sugar, and 1 tbsp of water. Mix and cook until the barberries are plump. Remove from heat and set aside.
3.	In a large pot, bring water to boil and add salt. Drain the soaked rice and add it to the boiling water. Boil the rice for 6-7 minutes, stirring once or twice.
4.	Drain the rice in a colander. In the same pot, melt 3 tbsp of butter and 1 tbsp of saffron water. Add the rice to the pot and mix well. Sprinkle advieh, some salt, and some sugar over the rice.
5.	Add the barberries over the rice and mix gently. Cut the remaining 2 tbsp of butter into small pieces and place them on top of the rice. Cover the pot and cook over low heat for 45 minutes.
6.	After 45 minutes, remove the pot from heat and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Use a fork to fluff up the rice and mix in the barberries.

PROS

The combination of sweet and sour flavors make this dish stand out.
The addition of saffron gives it a unique aroma and the bright red color of the barberries makes it visually appealing.

It is a complete meal with carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
The antioxidants present in barberries have a lot of health benefits.

CONS

This dish contains a good amount of butter which may not be suitable for everyone.
It is a bit time-consuming to prepare as you need to soak the rice beforehand.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Barberries are a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants. They help boost the immune system and promote good cardiovascular health.
Saffron has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It has proven benefits in treating depression and anxiety and also helps improve digestion.