Saed News: Chickpea rice has various preparation methods, each delicious in its own way. In this article, we’ll learn how to cook Kermanshahi, Shirazi, and Turkish versions of chickpea rice. Stay with us to master these tasty recipes.
Chickpea rice is a traditional dish from Turkey. Along with its rich flavor and cultural roots, it has made its way into Iranian cuisine, bringing a taste of Turkish tradition. Known as "Nohutlu Pilav" in Turkish, it’s a dish you may have encountered during visits to Turkey.
For an authentic Kermanshahi experience, use traditional Kermanshahi ghee for added aroma and flavor. Below are the ingredients:
Ingredients | Amount (for 2-3 people) |
Rice | 2 cups |
Chickpeas | 1 cup |
Lamb meat | 200 grams |
Large onion | 1 |
Potato (or bread) for tahdig | 1 |
Kermanshahi ghee | As needed |
Saffron (brewed) | 1 tbsp |
Cinnamon | 1 tsp |
Salt, pepper, turmeric | As needed |
1. Cook the Chickpeas
Soak chickpeas overnight, then cook them in a pot until soft.
2. Prepare the Meat and Onions
Heat Kermanshahi ghee in a pan. Sauté diced onion until golden. Add lamb, along with salt, pepper, and turmeric, and cook until aromatic. Add water and let it simmer until the meat is tender.
3. Cook the Rice
Rinse the rice and soak it in salted water for 30 minutes. Boil in a pot until the grains are soft on the outside but firm inside. Drain the rice.
4. Prepare the Tahdig
Heat some ghee in a pot, layer potato slices or bread at the bottom, and alternate layers of rice, chickpeas, cooked meat, and cinnamon. Pour brewed saffron over the top.
5. Steam and Serve
Steam the rice for 30-40 minutes. Garnish with barberries, almonds, or pistachios as desired.
The preparation of Shirazi-style chickpea rice is very simple and straightforward. You only need to follow the steps outlined below. Before we begin, let’s review the ingredients needed for this Shirazi recipe with dill:
Ingredients | Amount (for 2-3 people) |
Rice | 2 cups |
Ground meat (or chicken) | 250 grams |
Chickpeas | 1 cup |
Dried dill | 1 cup |
Medium onion | 1 |
Salt, pepper, thyme | As needed |
Oil | As needed |
Steps for Preparing Shirazi-Style Chickpea Rice:
Step 1: Cook the Peas
Place the green peas in a suitable pot, add water and salt, and let them cook until they are completely soft.
Step 2: Prepare the Rice
Wash the rice thoroughly and soak it in water with salt for 30 minutes. Then, place the rice in a medium-sized pot and bring it to a boil. Ensure the water level is about a finger's width above the rice.
Step 3: Add the Ingredients
Once the rice has boiled slightly, add the dried dill, cooked peas (without water), and oil to the pot. Once the water is absorbed, cover the pot with a lid and a steam cloth, and let the rice cook on low heat.
Step 4: Prepare the Meatballs
Grate the onion and mix it with the ground meat. Add salt, pepper, and thyme to the mixture. Knead the ingredients well with clean hands until fully combined. Take a spoonful of the mixture, shape it into small balls, and fry them thoroughly in a pan.
Step 5: Serve the Chickpea Rice
Place the rice on a serving dish and top it with the fried meatballs. Alternatively, serve the meatballs separately, depending on your preference. Now it's ready to enjoy!
Turkish chickpea rice is an easy, delicious, and nutritious dish that can secure a special place in your kitchen after being served just once. The ingredients are conveniently listed in the table below:
Ingredients | Amount (for 2-3 people) |
Rice | 3 cups |
Cooked chickpeas | 1 cup |
Butter | 100 grams |
Chicken | 300 grams |
Onion, carrot, celery | 1 each |
Salt, pepper, turmeric | As needed |
Pour some water into a pot and place it over medium heat. Wash the chicken thoroughly and place it in the pot. Slice the onion, carrot, and celery and add them to the chicken. Sprinkle some salt and pepper on top. Cover the pot and let the chicken cook until it is fully done, and the smell is neutralized. This process typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Ensure that the chicken is tender by the end.
Once the chicken is well-cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside. Strain the chicken stock to separate the vegetables, but don't discard it, as you'll need it for cooking the rice. Allow the chicken to cool slightly, then shred it using two forks or your hands.
In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat. Add the rice (soaked overnight) and the cooked green peas (canned or fresh) to the pot. Sauté until the butter is well absorbed by the rice and peas. Then pour the chicken stock into the pot.
When the chicken stock is fully absorbed, cover the pot and let the rice steam on low heat for 30 to 40 minutes. Your chickpea rice is almost ready!
Once the rice is steamed, transfer it to a large serving dish. Garnish it with shredded chicken, fresh herbs like basil or dill, barberries, and slivers of pistachios or almonds, along with green peas. Feel free to customize the garnishes based on your taste. Enjoy!
Here are some tips to help you make a more flavorful and delicious Chickpea Rice. By following these suggestions, you can enjoy this dish to its fullest:
Remove the Chicken Odor: To completely eliminate the chicken's odor, sprinkle a little salt over it the night before cooking. Then, briefly boil the chicken in water, sauté it in butter, and proceed with the cooking steps.
Add Lemon Juice: A touch of lemon juice can help remove any lingering odor and give the dish an extraordinary aroma and flavor.
Use Additional Spices: Spices like ginger powder, garlic powder, mint, rosemary, and vinegar can significantly enhance the flavor of your dish.
Choose High-Quality Rice: Ensure you use the best quality rice, as it greatly impacts the overall taste of the dish.
Opt for Aged Rice for Guests: If you're serving this dish to guests, it's recommended to use aged rice for a better aroma and flavor.
Proper Parboiling: When parboiling the rice, add it to a pot of boiling water.
Check the Rice Texture: When testing the rice between your fingers, the outer layer should be soft, and the core should still have a slightly firm texture.
Use a Steamer Cloth: Don't forget to cover the pot with a steamer cloth while cooking the rice. Otherwise, the steam will condense and fall back into the pot, causing the rice to become mushy.
Binding Meatballs: To ensure the ground meat stays firm and doesn’t fall apart while cooking, you can mix in some flour before shaping it into meatballs.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we explored different ways to prepare chickpea rice, sharing tips to enhance flavor and presentation. Adjust the ingredients to suit your taste, and enjoy the warm, comforting aroma of this dish. Thank you for reading!
