Persian Jeweled Rice
- Medium
- Serves 4
This Persian Jeweled Rice dish is a real celebration of taste and aroma, also known as Javaher Polo. A tribute to rice as an ancient staple food, the dish showcases delicious aromas, especially Basmati, and gemstone colors from golden saffron and orange peel to ruby-red barberries, emerald pistachios, and pearly almonds.
Ingredients
Method
2 ½ cups Tilda Original pure basmati rice, rinsed well
½ tsp saffron threads
4 tbsp butter (or coconut oil)
¼ tsp fennel seeds
¼ tsp cumin seeds
¼ tsp of ground cinnamon
¼ tsp of ground cardamom
¼ tsp ground allspice
1 medium onion, diced
2 bay leaves
finely julienned rind of 1 lemon
½ cup dried barberries
3/4 cup dried apricots, diced
½ cup orange peel
½ cup cup slivered almonds, toasted
½ cup pistachios, toasted
1 pomegranate seeded for garnish
½ cup of Butter
- 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 35 ounces 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.
