SAEDNEWS: Tah Shiri is a traditional Southern Iranian rice dish made with milk. It is simple, nutritious, and delicious, providing energy for daily activities and helping support the immune system.
According to Saednews, Tah Shiri, also known as Shir Polo, is a traditional dish from southern Iran with Bakhtiari origins. It is made with rice and milk and has a soft, creamy texture.
1 cup rice, preferably locally grown
2 cups full-fat milk
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon oil, preferably animal fat or traditional rendered fat
2–3 tablespoons sugar, according to taste
½ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
Fried onions, as needed
Place the Iranian rice in a large bowl and rinse it several times with lukewarm water to remove excess starch. If you prefer softer rice, soak it in water with a little salt for about 30 minutes.
Pour fresh or pasteurized full-fat milk into a pot and place it over low heat. When the milk warms up and begins to release a little steam, carefully add the soaked rice.
Gently stir the rice and milk with a wooden spoon every few minutes to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot and to ensure the mixture cooks evenly.
When the rice is about halfway cooked, add the desired amount of sugar and stir well until it dissolves completely into the milk.
For extra flavor and aroma, you can add a little ground cardamom or rose water.
Once the rice and milk mixture thickens, the rice is nearly cooked, and the texture becomes slightly creamy, reduce the heat to low.
Cover the pot with a lid wrapped in a clean kitchen towel to allow the steam to circulate and help form a flavorful, thick layer at the bottom of the pot.
Let it steam for approximately 15–20 minutes.
Peel one medium onion and slice it into thin strips or finely chop it, depending on your preference.
Heat the oil in a small frying pan over medium-low heat and add the onions. Fry them until golden.
For a richer color, you can add a little turmeric toward the end of cooking and stir for a few seconds.
Transfer the fried onions to a paper towel or strainer to remove excess oil.
Once the steaming is complete, remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. This will make it easier to remove the rice and the crust formed at the bottom.
Transfer the rice to a serving dish. Carefully loosen the golden, thick layer from the bottom of the pot with a spoon or spatula, taking care to keep it intact.
For a molded presentation, you can invert the pot onto a round serving platter.
Top the rice with the fried onions, or serve them separately on the side.
Tah Shiri is best enjoyed warm, when the creamy flavor of the milk and the soft texture of the rice are at their best.
Traditional Tah Shiri is a delicious and nourishing dish made with simple ingredients.
