Iran · Iran

Baghali Polo (Dill and Fava Bean Rice with Lamb)

Name: Baghali Polo (Dill and Fava Bean Rice with Lamb)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 80 min
Total time: 100 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Iran
Ingredients: basmati rice, soaked 400 g; fresh fava beans, peeled 250 g; fresh dill, chopped 60 g; lamb shoulder, cubed 600 g; yellow onion, sliced 150 g; bloomed saffron 15 ml; ground turmeric 3 g; butter 60 g; vegetable oil 30 ml; fine salt 8 g; black pepper 2 g; garlic cloves 15 g

Persian rice with fava beans and dill, served alongside tender saffron lamb.

100 minutes · 6 servings · Moderate

Baghali polo is the rice that comes with what is often the most prized part of an Iranian meal, since the lamb is the reason and the rice is the accompaniment. Dill and fava beans give the rice a green, starchy character quite unlike plain rice, and the two are cooked together rather than flavoured separately. Whether the lamb is served on or beside the rice varies by region.

Ingredients

basmati rice, soaked400 g
fresh fava beans, peeled250 g
fresh dill, chopped60 g
lamb shoulder, cubed600 g
yellow onion, sliced150 g
bloomed saffron15 ml
ground turmeric3 g
butter60 g
vegetable oil30 ml
fine salt8 g
black pepper2 g
garlic cloves15 g

Directions

1
Boil rice 6 minutes; drain.
2
Blanch fava beans 3 minutes; drain.
3
Sear lamb in butter and oil 8 minutes; add onion and garlic; cook 6 minutes; add turmeric, salt, pepper and 200 ml water; simmer covered 30 minutes.
lamb is fork-tender
4
In a buttered pot, layer rice with fava beans and dill; steam covered on low 20 minutes.
rice is fluffy
5
Plate rice and top with lamb; drizzle saffron water.

Source: WorldBite Editorial · WorldBite Proprietary Editorial Content