Persian Jewelled Rice Recipes

JEWELED PERSIAN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Peel and finely chop the onion.
• place a large saucepan over medium high heat, add the oil and then saute the onion for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
• Add the rice and stir a minute, until the rice looks glassy.
• Add in the tomato paste, salt, black pepper, ground cardamom, turmeric, ground cumin, cinnamon, and broth,
• Cover the saucepan with a lid and bring to a simmer.
• Immediately turn the heat down to low and cook the rice for 15 minutes.
• Do not remove the lid, just remove the saucepan from the cooktop and leave it undisturbed, for 10 minutes.
• Whilst the rice is resting, soak the dried cranberries in the extra broth.
• Remove the lid to the saucepan and use a fork to fluff the rice.
• Add in the soaked cranberries and the pistachio nuts.
• Serve garnished with fresh parsley.

IRANIAN JEWELED RICE (JAVAHER POLOW)

Steps:

• Rinse the rice several times in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain. Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a large pot with 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Add the rinsed rice and boil, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, then drain well in a colander.
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, season lightly with salt and cook until softened.
• Add in 1 tablespoon saffron water and stir in the cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, black pepper and cumin. Cook for 1 minute more. Stir in the apricots, raisins or currants and barberries or cherries or cranberries.
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a heavy-bottomed enamel or nonstick Dutch oven over medium heat. Spread half the par-cooked rice over the bottom of the pot. Spoon over the onion-fruit mixture, then the remaining rice. Leave the pot on the flame, uncovered, for 5 to 8 minutes to gently brown the rice. (Do not stir or move the rice)
• Drizzle the remaining saffron water over the rice and put on the lid. Adjust the heat to very low and leave undisturbed for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let rest at least 10 minutes.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat and gently toast the almonds and pistachios for a minute or so, taking care not to get them too brown. Set aside for garnish.
• To serve, spoon the rice into a wide bowl or platter. With a spatula, carefully lift the bottom crust, placing the crisp side up.
• Sprinkle with the toasted nuts and pomegranate arils.

DAVID TANIS'S PERSIAN JEWELED RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the rice several times in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain. Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a large pot with 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Add the rinsed rice and boil, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, then drain well in a colander.
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, season lightly with salt and cook until softened and lightly colored, 4 to 5 minutes. Moisten with 1 tablespoon saffron water and stir in the cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, black pepper and cumin. Cook for 1 minute more. Stir in the apricots, raisins (or currants) and barberries (or cherries or cranberries).
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a heavy-bottomed enamel or nonstick Dutch oven over medium heat. Spread half the par-cooked rice over the bottom of the pot. Spoon over the onion-fruit mixture, then the remaining rice. Leave the pot on the flame, uncovered, for 5 to 8 minutes to gently brown the rice. (Do not stir or move the rice - you will need to rely on your nose to tell if the rice has browned.)
• Drizzle the remaining saffron water over the rice and put on the lid. Adjust the heat to very low and leave undisturbed for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let rest at least 10 minutes.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat and gently toast the almonds and pistachios for a minute or so, taking care not to get them too brown. Set aside for garnish.
• To serve, spoon the rice into a wide bowl or platter. With a spatula, carefully lift the bottom crust, placing the crisp side up. Sprinkle with the toasted nuts.

PERSIAN JEWELLED RICE

Steps:

• Mix the saffron threads into a 4 tsps of hot water, Set aside.
• Soak the rice for 30 minutes in cold water. Rinse the rice thoroughly when you drain it and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet and saute the fennel and cumin seeds until they are fragrant, just a minute or two. Add the cinnamon, cardamom and allspice and stir to combine. Add the onion and saute over low heat until the onion is softened, about 10 minutes.
• Add in the rice and saute it for a minute or 2 with the spices and onion.
• To 1 litre of water add the bay leaves and lemon rind. Stir to combine, season with salt and fresh cracked black pepper.
• Add in the fruit and nuts, stir to combine, and cover the skillet with a tight fitting lid. Cook on low to medium heat for about 8 minutes, then turn off the heat and let it sit, covered to let it steam dry. Add the saffron water in swirls and let this sit for another 10 minutes.
• When the rice is done, fluff it, remove the bay leaves, and spoon onto a large platter. Scatter the pomegranate seeds on top to garnish.

JAVAHER POLOW (PERSIAN JEWELED RICE)

Steps:

• Begin by preparing Basmati Polow (Recipe #253159) and set aside.
• Place the slivered orange slices in a saucepan and cover with water.
• Bring to a boil, drain to remove bitter taste.
• Place the orange peel, carrots and sugar in a saucepan. Add 1 cup water, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Soak the barberries by placing them in a colander fitted inside a large bowl full of cold water. Soak 20 minutes.
• Remove colander from bowl, run berries under cold water. Drain and set aside.
• In a large non-stick pan over medium heat sautè the sliced onion in 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil until the onions are translucent and soft.
• Add the drained barberries and raisins. Cook for *only* 2 minutes because barberries burn easily! Remove from heat; set aside.
• You, Dear cook, have two options for serving the polow, (assuming your rice is prepared):.
• Option 1: Mix the rice and barberry mixture with the orange peel mixture. Stir in the advieh and the nuts. Serve yogurt on side.
• Option 2: Layer the rice, barberry mixture and orange peel mixture. Sprinkle nuts on top. Serve yogurt on side.
• I prefer Option 2. Your choice!
• Cooking time includes preparing the saffron rice.