One of common and popular Persian's Dish at my home now, is Lubia Polo - well, I said popular because almost two time a month a make this dish, it's kind of easy .. almost like a one-pot cooking. There is a rice, vegetables and meat .. see, simply and you don't have take too much time in the kitchen to get very healthy food. wanna try ?
Lubia Polo - Rice with Green Beans & Tomatoes ala Rumah Manis
2 cups basmati rice (very recommended)
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large onion, peeled, thinly sliced
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
500 gr meat - beef / lamb or veal, cut in 1/2 inch cubes
750 gr fresh green beans, cut into 1/2 inch
5 fresh tomatoes, peeled, sliced cubes or canned tomatoes, drained
2 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon Persian Spice mix (advieh - *see the note !)
1 tablespoon chicken stock powder
1 teaspoon dried lime powder
1/2 teaspoon ground saffron, dissolved in 2 tbsp hot water
Make your own advieh :
2 tablespoon dried rose petals
2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoon ground cardamom
1 tablespoon ground cumin
throughly mix the ground spices and rose petals. stored in an airtight container
Direction :
In a medium skillet, heat 3 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the beans, fry for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set a side
In medium pot, heat 2 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium hear, add the onion stir 5 minute, until translucent, add garlic and meat stir-fry for 10 minutes until meat change the color. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper, cinnamon, advieh, lime powder, chicken stock powder. Cover and simmer over low heat for 25 minutes or until the meat are tender
When the meat are tender add the green beans, stir for 5 minute - adjust the seasoning. Set a side
Preparing the rice :
Wash the rice.
In large non-stick pot, bring 8 cups of water and 2 tablespoon salt to a boil. add the rice and boil briskly for 10 minute, gently stirring twice with a wooden spoon. Once the rice rises to the top of pot, it is done
Drain the rice in a large strainer and rinse with 3 cups lukewarm water.
In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup oil, 2 spatula of the rice, 2 tablespoon yogurt, 1/2 cup lukewarm water and 1 tablespoon of saffron water. Spread the mixture over the bottom of the rice pot. This will form the golden crust, or tah dig. Or to make you easy, you can use potatoes instead. Peel the potatoes, thin slice and arrange over the bottom of rice pot, sprinkle with a little of salt. Believe me, you will get a crunchy delicious potatoes for snack too.
Place 2 spatulas full of rice in the pot, add a spatula of the bean and meat mixture. Repeat, alternating layers of the rice with beans and meat, mounding the ingredients in the shape of a pyramid.
Cover the pot, cook the rice for 10 minute over medium heat.
Mix 1/4 cup cold water and 4 tablespoon oil, pour over rice. Sprinkle on the remaining saffron water
Place a clean dish towel or 2 layers of paper towel over the pot , cover firmly with the lid. Reduce heat to low and cook 50 minute longer.
Remove the lid, un-molding the entire mold onto the platter. And serve the tah dig into separate platter and eat as snack before main course.
