Shirini Gerdooyi Recipes

PERSIAN COOKIES (NANE SHIRINI)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 235.
• In a large bowl, sift or mix with a fork, 2 cups of flour and 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
• In a separate bowl, cream thoroughly 1 cup of shortening and 1 cup of granulated sugar.
• Blend in 2 egg yolks, vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon extract. Mix well.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until dough is well blended.
• Roll dough into round balls with hands, using about 1 level teaspoon of dough for each ball.
• Place on an ungreased baking sheet and flatten slightly with a spoon.
• Bake for 20 minutes.

SHIRIN POLO (PERSIAN SWEET RICE)

Steps:

• Wash rice in lukewarm water until water runs clear.
• Then soak in cold water to cover for at least 2 hours but up to 24 hours. Drain, rinse, and drain again.
• In a large heavy saucepan, bring 8 cups water to boil over medium heat. Add salt.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse and then drain again.
• To make the filling, fill a small sauce pan with cold water.
• Add orange zest and bring to a boil. Drain and then repeat.
• In a medium sauce pan, combine the zest, water, sugar and turmeric and stir over low heat until sugar dissolves.
• Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer until syrupy, about 20 minutes.
• Let cool and then stir in nuts.
• In a large heavy saucepan heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over high heat.
• Stir in the turmeric, the 2 tablespoons of water.
• Spread 1/3 of rice in the sauce pan.
• Scatter half of the zest filling over top, cover with half the remaining rice, then remaining filling, then mound remaining rice over top.
• Using wooden spoon handle, poke 7 deep holes in the rice.
• Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons of oil.
• Place a kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels over top of pan.
• Cover with lid and cook over medium heat until steam appears, about 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer until rice is tender and bottom is crisp, about 30 minutes.