Adas Polo (Persian Lentil Rice)

🥘 Ingredients

• barberries
  1 c
• basmati rice
  2 c
• cinnamon
  1/2 tsp
• lentils
  1 c
• onion
  1
• raisins
  1 c
• saffron
  3 Tbsp, 2 pinches
• salt
  2 tsp
• turmeric
  1 tsp
• vegetable oil
  2 Tbsp
• water
  3 c

🍳 Cookware

• saucepan
• large pan
• large nonstick pot
• pan
• colander
• serving dish

1. 1

   Rinse lentils with cold water before boiling to remove any dust or debris. You can soak the lentils for one to two hours to speed up the cooking process.

   lentils: 1 c
2. 2

   Wash the raisins and barberries and pat dry on kitchen paper.

   raisins: 1 c, barberries: 1 c
3. 3

   Cook on a stovetop, using 3 cups of water to 1 cup of lentils. Be sure to use a large enough saucepan as the lentils will double or triple in size. Bring to a boil, cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer until they are tender. For whole lentils, cook time is typically 15 to ⏱️ 20 minutes . Then set aside.

   water: 3 c
4. 4

   In a large pan , heat the vegetable oil . Fry the onion until it’s golden. Add the salt , cinnamon , turmeric , and bloomed saffron . Reduce the heat and add the raisins and dates and stir. Set aside.

   vegetable oil: 2 Tbsp, onion: 1, salt: 1/2 tsp, cinnamon: 1/2 tsp, turmeric: 1 tsp, saffron: 2 pinches
5. 5

   Pour 6 cups of water into a large nonstick pot and bring to a boil over high heat with salt . Add basmati rice into a pan filled with boiling water. After 6 to ⏱️ 8 minutes when it begins to rise to the top and the water comes back to a boil. Check the rice is cooked at the end by trying a grain. Break one grain in half. Rice should be soft on the outside but hard in the middle. Pour rice into the colander to drain; then set aside.

   salt: 1/2 tbsp, basmati rice: 2 c
6. 6

   Scoop one-third of the rice into the pot. Layer with one-third of the cooked lentils. Repeat until you're out of rice and lentils and shape it into a pyramid. Add 3 tablespoons of the bloomed saffron . Cover the pot and cook until rice begins to steam for 30 to ⏱️ 40 minutes .

   saffron: 3 Tbsp
7. 7

   Transfer the rice to a serving dish .