aromatic and nutritious easy-to-make Persian rice dish with raisins infused with cinnamon
Adas polo, or lentil rice, is by far mine and my father’s favourite food. It is simple to make and it is delicious. It’s one of those meals that I can’t stop eating once I’ve had my first spoonful.
ingredients
- 400g (2 cups) basmati rice
- 400g (2 1⁄2 cups) tinned lentils, drained
- 300g (10 oz) shop-bought or homemade meatballs
- 100g (2⁄3 cup) raisins
- 7g (1 tbsp) ground cinnamon
- 120ml (8 tbsp) vegetable oil
- salt and pepper
preparation
- soak the rice in a pot of hot water and 2 heaped tablespoons of salt
- cover and set aside to soften
- this will considerably reduce the cooking time
- pour 60ml (4 tbsp) of vegetable oil into a pan
- brown the meatballs until cooked through
- add the raisins, season well
- set aside
- bring a litre (4 cups) of water to a boil in a large pot
- after ten minutes, transfer the soaked rice into boiling water
- cook until the rice grains are half-cooked
- heat another 60ml (4 tbsp) of oil in the pot you cooked the rice in
- line the bottom of the pot with a third of the rice
- spoon a third of the lentils on top of the rice
- sprinkle with ground cinnamon
- repeat the layers making sure the top layer is rice
- pour in 125ml (1⁄2 cup) of water around the edge of the pot, reduce to a medium heat and cover
- when steam starts to seep from beneath the lid, add a generous knob of butter and cover
- cook on a low heat for another 10 minutes
- using a spatula, spoon the rice onto a large platter
- garnish the top with the meatballs and raisins
If you wish to organise a casual luncheon, a business gathering or a joyfull wedding in Belgium or The Netherlands, please take a look at the catering options and contact me to see how we can turn your event into a memorable happening.All 50 recipes in my cookbook have 5 major ingredients, carefully chosen to respect the original dishes on which they are based. You can easily order my cookbook online or come pick it up. Participants to a workshop get a €5 discount.Join others and learn how to cook and bake a four-course Persian meal. All workshops are held in Belgium or The Netherlands and participants get a €5 discount on my cookbook.You can find many recipes on the website. Most recipes use Persian cooking essentials like indigenous herbs, spices, nuts and fruits. You can also find 50 recipes in my cookbook.Many cities in Iran are on the UNESCO heritage list. Read some culinary travel stories on how I experience my country or learn more about its culture and history.My professional approach of food photography makes your recipes and food products shine in cookbooks, product packaging, online use, catalog or menus.Follow me on Instagram to view my latest updates. In case of any questions or reservations please do not hesitate contacting me by filling in the form.
