Persian Spiced Lentil Rice with Sweet Fruits
This Persian Spiced Lentil Rice, known as Adas Polo, is a visually stunning and flavorful dish that beautifully blends aromatic basmati rice with nutritious lentils, sweet raisins, and rich dates. Complemented by caramelized onions and a medley of warm spices including turmeric, cinnamon, and cardamom, this dish embodies the essence of Persian cooking. It showcases a perfect balance of savory and sweet, making it an excellent accompaniment to grilled chicken or lamb, or simply delightful on its own as a vegetarian option. The crispy potato topping, known as tadig, adds an irresistible crunch, elevating your dining experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
lentils
1 1/2 cups (soaked)
basmati rice
2 cups (rinsed)
water
2 cups (for cooking rice)
onion
1 (sliced thinly)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
salt
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
turmeric
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon (ground)
cardamom
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
cumin
1/8 teaspoon (ground)
saffron
1/2 teaspoon (dissolved in 2 tablespoons water)
raisins
3/4 cup (to add sweetness)
dates
3/4 cup (pitted and chopped)
potato
1 (sliced into thin rounds)
canola oil
as needed (for frying and layering)
butter
1/4 cup (melted)
Instructions
1
Start by soaking the lentils in water for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
2
In a large saucepan, bring salted water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add the soaked lentils and cook for 20-30 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside.
3
Heat canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté until they are golden brown. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4
Add the raisins, chopped dates, and all the spices except for the saffron. Mix well and sauté for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat and set aside.
5
Rinse the basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Cook the rice in a rice cooker with 2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. If you prefer, you can cook it on the stovetop in a pot. Once cooked, transfer the rice to a large mixing bowl.
6
In the same pot or rice cooker, pour a thin layer of canola oil to cover the bottom, and arrange the potato slices in a single layer.
7
Layer half of the cooked rice over the potatoes, followed by a layer of the lentil and fruit mixture. Repeat with the remaining rice, ensuring the top layer is rice.
8
Drizzle the melted butter and saffron water over the rice layering. Cover tightly with a lid, or if using a rice cooker, simply press the cook button again.
9
To achieve crispy potatoes, allow the rice to cook on low heat for 30 minutes. If using a rice cooker, maintain cooking by repeatedly pressing cook if necessary. Cover with a tea towel under the lid to trap steam.
10
Once done, gently fluff the rice with a fork, ensuring the crispy potato layer (tadig) is intact. Serve hot as a main, or alongside grilled meats.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Adas Polo?
Adas Polo is a traditional Persian Spiced Lentil Rice dish that combines aromatic basmati rice with nutritious lentils, sweet raisins, and dates, often topped with a crispy layer called tadig.
How long should I soak the lentils for this recipe?
Lentils should be soaked in water for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best results.
What is 'tadig' in Persian cooking?
Tadig refers to the crispy, golden layer at the bottom of the pot. In this recipe, it is achieved by layering sliced potatoes at the bottom before adding the rice.
What kind of rice is best for Persian Spiced Lentil Rice?
Long-grain basmati rice is the best choice because it becomes fluffy and remains separate when cooked.
Is this Adas Polo recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it focuses on lentils, rice, fruits, and spices.
What spices are used to flavor the rice?
The dish is seasoned with a warm blend of turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cumin, and saffron.
How do I prepare the saffron for the recipe?
Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of saffron in 2 tablespoons of warm water before drizzling it over the layered rice.
What fruits add sweetness to the dish?
This recipe uses 3/4 cup of raisins and 3/4 cup of pitted, chopped dates for natural sweetness.
How long do the lentils take to cook?
Once soaked, lentils should be simmered in salted water for 20-30 minutes until tender.
Why do I need to rinse the basmati rice?
Rinsing the rice under cold water removes excess starch, which prevents the rice from becoming sticky or gummy.
Can I make this in a rice cooker?
Yes, you can cook the rice in a rice cooker and also use it for the layering and steaming process to achieve a crispy tadig.
What is the purpose of the tea towel under the lid?
A tea towel placed under the lid helps to trap steam and absorb excess moisture, ensuring the rice is fluffy and the potato layer is crispy.
How do I layer the ingredients in the pot?
Start with oil and potato slices, then add half the rice, followed by the lentil/fruit mixture, and finish with the remaining rice.
Can I serve this with meat?
While it is a complete vegetarian meal, it pairs exceptionally well with grilled chicken or lamb.
What type of lentils should I use?
The recipe calls for standard brown or green lentils that hold their shape well after cooking.
How do I ensure the potatoes become crispy?
Allow the layered rice to cook on low heat for 30 minutes, or keep the rice cooker on the 'cook' cycle until the bottom is golden.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 3 minced garlic cloves for a savory aromatic base.
Is there a substitute for butter in this recipe?
You can use additional canola oil or a plant-based butter alternative to keep the recipe vegan-friendly.
How do I sauté the onions?
Heat canola oil over medium heat and sauté sliced onions until they are golden brown before adding garlic and spices.
What should the texture of the rice be?
The rice should be light, fluffy, and aromatic, with distinct grains that are not clumped together.
Can I use ground cumin instead of whole cumin?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 1/8 teaspoon of ground cumin for the spice blend.
How do I fluff the rice without breaking the tadig?
Gently use a fork to fluff the top layers of rice, then carefully lift the rice and potato layer out for serving.
How much water is used to cook the rice?
Use 2 cups of water for 2 cups of basmati rice if using a rice cooker or standard stovetop method.
Can I add nuts to this dish?
Yes, slivered almonds or pistachios are common additions that provide a nice crunch alongside the raisins and dates.
What makes this dish 'Persian' style?
The use of saffron, the specific spice blend, the inclusion of dried fruits, and the focus on creating a crispy tadig are hallmarks of Persian cuisine.
Is this dish spicy in terms of heat?
No, it is spiced with 'warm' aromatic spices like cinnamon and cardamom rather than 'hot' chili spices.
How do I chop the dates?
Remove the pits and chop them into small bite-sized pieces so they distribute evenly through the rice.
What is the role of turmeric in this recipe?
Turmeric provides a beautiful golden color and a mild earthy flavor to the lentil and onion mixture.
Can I prepare the lentils and rice in advance?
Yes, you can boil the lentils and cook the rice ahead of time, then proceed with the layering and steaming steps when ready to serve.
What type of oil is recommended for the potato layer?
Canola oil is recommended because it has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor perfect for frying the potato tadig.