SAEDNEWS: “Adas Polo” is a delicious Iranian dish that you can often find among the votive foods prepared during the month of Muharram.
Adas Polo is one of the most popular and traditional Iranian dishes. It is a nutritious and flavorful rice dish made with lentils, rice, and a combination of aromatic spices. It is often served for family meals as well as in ceremonial gatherings, especially during the month of Muharram.
This recipe helps you prepare a delicious, healthy, and well-balanced Adas Polo for 4 to 6 people.
Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
Rice | 3 cups |
Lentils | 1.5 cups |
Ground meat | 300 g |
Chopped fried onion | 3 tbsp |
Raisins | 1 cup |
Dates | a few |
Cinnamon | 2 tsp |
Salt | as needed |
Oil | as needed |
Saffron (dissolved) | as needed |
Turmeric | as needed |
Black pepper | as needed |
Wash the rice and lentils thoroughly and soak them for a few hours.
Mix the chopped fried onions with the ground meat.
Add turmeric and sauté the mixture over heat until the meat is fully browned and cooked.
Add one cup of water to the meat and let it simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes.
Add cinnamon, saffron, and black pepper to the meat mixture.
Soak the raisins in water to clean and soften them.
Lightly fry the soaked raisins in a small amount of oil. Add a little cinnamon if desired, but avoid over-frying.
Remove the seeds from the dates and lightly sauté them in one tablespoon of oil.
Boil the lentils in water until they are partially cooked.
Add a little salt to help them keep their shape. Do not overcook.
Boil the washed rice in a separate pot of water.
Once the lentils are half-cooked, drain them and add them to the boiling rice.
When the rice is partially cooked, drain it. In a separate pot, add oil and arrange your desired tahdig (crispy bottom layer). Then layer the rice and lentils mixture into the pot. Increase heat briefly until steam forms.
Reduce the heat, cover the pot with a lid and allow it to steam for about 45 minutes. Once ready, serve the rice topped with the prepared meat, raisins, and dates.
Use saffron generously for better color and aroma.
Adding ground coriander or cumin can reduce the smell of meat and improve flavor.
You can garnish with slivered pistachios or almonds for a more elegant presentation.
For a vegetarian version, simply omit the meat and follow the remaining steps.
For chicken Adas Polo, cook the chicken with onion, salt, pepper, and saffron, then shred it and layer it with the rice.
Preparation time: about 40 minutes
Cooking time: about 45 minutes
Best served for lunch or dinner
Suitable for 4 servings (can be adjusted as needed)
