Best Persian Jeweled Rice Recipes

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 JEWELED RICE

Steps:

• Rinse basmati rice until water runs clear. Place in a bowl, cover with water and add 1 tablespoon salt. Allow to soak for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Using a mortar and pestle, grind together saffron and sugar. Combine with a scant 1/3 cup boiling water, and set aside to steep. Bring a stockpot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Drain rice and add to pot; cook exactly 6 minutes, then drain into fine-meshed colander.
• Place a round Dutch oven or other wide pan with a lid over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and vegetable oil. When butter has melted, add potato slices in a single layer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spread potatoes evenly with a layer of rice about 1 inch thick. Sprinkle 1 cup barberries in stages over rice. Continue to add rice in smaller and smaller layers, sprinkling barberries between each layer, to make a pyramid of rice with no berries on top.
• Using the handle of a round wooden spoon, poke 3 holes into top of rice until spoon touches potato layer. Combine melted butter with saffron mixture, and pour all over rice. Cover underside of pot lid with a large dry cotton kitchen towel. Place on pan, making sure no ends dangle near source of heat.
• Cook rice mixture over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, then reduce heat to low. Cook 40 to 45 minutes. To serve, spoon rice onto a heated serving platter. Top with rows of almonds, pistachios, candied orange zest and remaining 1/2 cup barberries. Arrange potatoes from bottom of pan in another dish, and serve alongside rice.

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.

JASMINE JEWELED RICE PERSIAN-STYLE

Steps:

• Reserve a tablespoon each of pistachios, apricots and almonds for garnish.
• Melt a tablespoon of butter in a medium saucepan on low heat. Toss the rice in the butter, then add the remaining pistachios, apricots and almonds, plus the salt and star anise.
• Add boiling water and simmer. Cover and check after 15 minutes, but do not stir.
• Slice onions thinly and place on a baking tray in a flat layer. Drizzle with 4 tablespoons of butter and place in a 350-degree oven. Bake, tossing occasionally, until crispy.
• Place rice mixture in a serving dish and garnish with the reserved pistachios, almonds and apricots, plus the crispy onions.
• Heat remaining butter almost to bubbling, then pour over the rice so that it glistens.

PERSIAN JEWELED RICE IN CABBAGE

Steps:

• Core the cabbage but keep it whole.
• In a large pot, heat cabbage and water and boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
• Drain and set aside allowing it to cool.
• Meanwhile, heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet.
• Add onion and red pepper.
• Saute.
• Stir in cumin, saffron, rice, apple and raisins.
• Add water and salt to rice mixture.
• Boil.
• Once boiled, gradually reduce heat and simmer.
• Cook for 10 minutes (rice will be undercooked).
• Remove from flame.
• Remove the 12 best shaped, largest leaves from the cabbage (reserve the remaining cabbage for use elsewhere).
• Oil the inside of an 8" metal colander.
• Line its bottom and inside with 8 cabbage leaves.
• Put in rice followed by topping it with 4 cabbage leaves, tucking the ends of the leaves inside the colander.
• Fill a large pot (1 big enough to fit colander inside of) with about 1" water.
• Place colander with the stuffed cabbage in the pot.
• Heat and allow to simmer.
• Cover and steam cabbage for 20 minutes.
• Remove from flame and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
• Place a flat serving plate upside down on top of the colander.
• Holding them firmly together, turn them over.
• Gently lift the colander off cabbage and serve!