How to Make Satri Polo: Fragrant Khorasan-Style Mixed Rice, the Perfect Friday Family Lunch

According to Saednews, Satrī Polo is a delicious and authentic mixed rice dish from Khorasan, made with a combination of rice, raisins, carrots, meatballs, and saffron.

Mixed rice dishes are truly exceptional. It is rare to find someone who does not enjoy dishes such as bean rice, lentil rice, fava bean rice, sweet rice, and others. Beyond their great taste, these dishes are highly diverse, and you can get creative with almost any ingredients you have on hand to prepare a delicious mixed rice plate.

Local dishes are, in a way, the cultural identity of each region. The vast Khorasan region also has a wide variety of foods, shaped by the desert lifestyle, each with its own unique flavor and taste. Satrī Polo is one of the traditional dishes of Khorasan and the city of Mashhad, which was traditionally prepared for religious ceremonies and gatherings.

It is made by combining rice with meatballs, carrots, raisins, and other ingredients, resulting in a colorful and very tasty dish. If you would like to prepare this delicious mixed rice at home, follow the recipe below.

Ingredients

• Rice: 2 cups

• Ground meat: 300 g

• Onions: 3

• Raisins: 150 g

• Large carrot: 1

• Salt, black pepper, curry powder, turmeric, thyme, garlic powder: as needed

• Thick brewed saffron: as needed

• Butter: 25 g

• Oil: as needed

Instructions

First, rinse the rice and soak it in warm water with some salt for about 2 hours.

Grate 2 onions and squeeze out excess water. Add the grated onion to the ground meat along with salt, black pepper, turmeric, garlic powder, curry powder, and thyme. Knead the mixture well until fully combined. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to rest.

Meanwhile, finely slice the remaining onion. Melt butter in a pan over heat, then sauté the sliced onions until soft and light. Add turmeric and cook until golden.

Add julienned carrots and sauté briefly with the onions. Soak the raisins in warm water beforehand, then add them to the pan. Sauté for about 30 seconds, add salt and saffron, cook for one more minute, then turn off the heat.

Remove the meat mixture from the refrigerator and shape it into small meatballs. Fry the meatballs in oil until cooked and golden.

Parboil the rice until it is slightly undercooked and drain it.

Place your desired crust (tahdig) at the bottom of a pot. Add half of the rice, then layer the carrot, onion, and raisin mixture on top. Arrange the meatballs over it, then add the remaining rice.

Drizzle saffron and melted butter over the surface. Cover with a lid wrapped in a towel and let it steam over low heat for about 45 minutes.

Your delicious Satrī Polo is ready to serve. Enjoy!

Important Tips

• Rice preparation: Soak rice in salted water for at least 2–3 hours, preferably overnight. Cook in boiling salted water until the grains are soft on the outside but still firm in the center. Rinse with cold water to stop cooking and remove excess salt.

• Raisins: Raisins are rich in potassium and help support bone health. For this dish, use red cooking raisins.

• Saffron: Always use thick saffron infusion. Grind saffron first, then add hot water and ice to enhance color and aroma. Store properly in the freezer and use as needed.

Enjoy your homemade traditional Khorasan Satrī Polo!