Adas Polo - Persian Rice With Lentils

Submitted by Barbell Bunny

"A delicious and hearty Iranian dish made of aromatic basmati rice, lentils, caramelized onion, raisins, and spices. Serve with chicken or lamb, or enjoy as a vegetarian dish."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 10mins
• Ingredients: 18
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups lentils, soaked
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 onion, sliced thinly
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cardamom
• 1⁄8 teaspoon cumin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon saffron, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
• 3⁄4 cup raisins
• 3⁄4 cup dates, pitted and chopped
• 1 potato, sliced into thin rounds
• canola oil
• 1⁄4 cup butter, melted

directions

1. In a large saucepan, bring salted water to a boil and simmer lentils on low for 20 - 30 minutes, or until tender. Drain water from lentils and set aside.
2. In a pan, saute the onions and garlic in oil. Add raisins, dates, and spices, except saffron. Mix well and set aside.
3. Cook rice as you would like. For a sure-fire way, I use my rice cooker. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Add to rice cooker and cover with 2 cups water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a drizzle of oil. Cook. Once rice is done, transfer cooked rice to a large bowl.
4. In the same pot (or your rice cooker), add oil to just cover the bottom surface. Add potato slices.
5. Add a layer of rice.
6. Add a layer of lentil-raisin mixture.
7. Continue layering, ending with a final layer of rice.
8. Cover and cook (on medium heat in a pot or just hit "cook" button on your rice cooker) for 10 minutes.
9. Drizzle melted butter and saffron water over your rice.
10. Cover the top of your pot or rice cooker with a tea towel to prevent steam from escaping, and top with lid.
11. Cook on low for 30 minutes. You want to make the potatoes crispy, so they must cook slowly. In the rice cooker, I continuously hit the cook button so this process (called tadig) can happen. It's totally worth it!
12. Serve.

Reviews

[Annacia]

I made this what feels like ages ago but somehow just couldn't get the review done. It's is getting done now. 5 stars for a scrumptious dish that I could very easily make my entire meal! The potato's in the bottom are like a delicious edible plate. In fact it's so good I think I need to make this again. Made for Cous Cous and Rice Spring 2014 in the North Africa/Middle East forum.

 

[rocketteena]

So delicious and healthy. This turned out beautifully, and just like I've had in the home of Persian friends. The tahdig at the bottom is a wonderful treat.

 

[Glorimar R.]

Finally finally ! I got to make this yummy dish achieving better than some restaurants taste!! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[lalu2024_9423799]

This meal was delicous. I liked the dates in the meal. It made it taste sweet. I liked that. My family loved the meal. It took some time to make the meal, but it paid off in the end.

 

[Lucky in Bayview]

Delicious!! It smelled amazing while cooking. The recipe looked kind of complicated to me when I first read through it, but it was very simple. I don't have a rice cooker so I did it all on the stove and it turned out great. Thanks for sharing the recipe.