Persian Lentil Rice (Adas Polo)

• 2 cups basmati rice, washed and soaked
• 1 cup dried lentils, simmered in 3 cups water
• 2–3 tbsp oil for the pot + 2–3 tbsp oil for the mince
• 1 potato, thinly sliced for the base (optional)
• 1 small brown onion (or ½ a large one), finely chopped
• 250 g beef mince
• about 2 tsp salt in all (1 tsp in the mince, a pinch with the lentils, about 1 tsp absorbed by the rice from its salted boiling water)
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup raisins (optional)
• ¼ cup pitted dates, chopped (optional)
• a pinch of saffron, steeped in a little warm water (use 2–3 tbsp plus 1 tsp of the saffron water)

Method

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

1. Wash and soak the rice. Bring 3 cups of water to the boil, add the lentils and a pinch of salt and simmer 20–25 minutes until tender and most of the water has gone; set aside. 0:15
2. Boil 8 cups of water with 2 tbsp salt, add the drained rice and cook about 10 minutes until around 90 per cent done, then drain. 1:05
3. Coat a heavy pot with 2–3 tbsp oil and line the base with potato slices. Layer in half the rice, all the lentils, then the rest of the rice. Spoon 2–3 tbsp saffron water over the top. 2:00
4. Cover and cook on high for 5–10 minutes until steam builds, then put a paper towel under the lid, turn the heat to low and steam. 2:47
5. Meanwhile fry the onion in 2–3 tbsp oil until lightly golden, add the mince and brown it. Season with 1 tsp salt, turmeric, cinnamon and pepper, stir in the raisins and dates, then turn off the heat and add 1 tsp saffron water. 3:55
6. After 15–20 minutes of steaming, fold the mince mixture gently through the rice, cover again (no towel needed) and steam 15–20 minutes more on low. Serve with the crisp potato from the base. 5:41

Tip. Serves 6 is our estimate. Leave out the mince for a vegetarian version, and skip the dried fruit if you prefer it savoury. The description says 2 cups lentils but the cook uses 1 cup in the video.

The method is a summary in our words — the video shows every step.