Shirin Polo (Persian Sweet Rice)
- Ready In:
- 3hrs 15mins
- Ingredients:
- 14
- Serves:
-
6-8
ingredients
-
Rice
- 3 cups long grain rice
- 8 cups water
- 2 tablespoons salt
-
Filling
- 1 cup finely slivered orange zest
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 pinch turmeric
- 2⁄3 cup slivered almonds
- 1⁄4 cup chopped pistachios
- 2 tablespoons rose water (optional)
- 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
- 4 tablespoons canola oil
- 1⁄4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 tablespoons water
directions
- Wash rice in lukewarm water until water runs clear.
- Then soak in cold water to cover for at least 2 hours but up to 24 hours. Drain, rinse, and drain again.
- In a large heavy saucepan, bring 8 cups water to boil over medium heat. Add salt.
- Add the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse and then drain again.
- To make the filling, fill a small sauce pan with cold water.
- Add orange zest and bring to a boil. Drain and then repeat.
- In a medium sauce pan, combine the zest, water, sugar and turmeric and stir over low heat until sugar dissolves.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer until syrupy, about 20 minutes.
- Let cool and then stir in nuts.
- In a large heavy saucepan heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over high heat.
- Stir in the turmeric, the 2 tablespoons of water.
- Spread 1/3 of rice in the sauce pan.
- Scatter half of the zest filling over top, cover with half the remaining rice, then remaining filling, then mound remaining rice over top.
- Using wooden spoon handle, poke 7 deep holes in the rice.
- Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons of oil.
- Place a kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels over top of pan.
- Cover with lid and cook over medium heat until steam appears, about 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer until rice is tender and bottom is crisp, about 30 minutes.
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
I'm 26, married and live in Southern California. My husband and I share our home with four crazy cats, lots of books and enough musical gear to outfit two or three bands.