Kabuli Pulao is considered to be Afghanistan’s national dish, and traditionally was served only on special occasions. As with many popular dishes, there are regional varieties, and the dish is often personalized according to taste and the availability of specific ingredients. Lamb tends to be the primary protein, but it is also customary to cook it with beef or chicken.
Category: Rice
Ghapeli Polo – Rice with beef and garbanzo beans
This dish finds its roots in the province of Kermanshah, located in the western region of Iran. At its core, it is a simple one-pot meal that starts with slow cooking of the beef and the garbanzos. Along the way, onions and simple spices are added to develop more depth and flavor. Once the beef…
Sabzi Polo ba Mahi – Herbed rice pilaf with fish
Sabzi Polo is one of the more popular herb-rice mixture dishes in Persian cuisine, known not only for its use of abundant fresh herbs but also for its close ties to the Persian New Year celebration, Nowruz. Iranian’s obsession with herbs in large quantities, fresh or dried, is no secret. You will find many dishes…
Gishneez Polo – Cilantro rice pilaf
Iranian’s obsession with herbs in large quantities, fresh or dried, is no secret. You will find many dishes – ranging from yogurt, to stews, to soups and rice dishes – that incorporate at least one or more often a whole medley of herbs. Gishneez polo is a slightly lesser-known version of the more popular herb…
Kadu Polo – Butternut squash rice
Kadu Polo is a delightful Fall-weather dish from the Caspian Sea region of Iran, where its regional name is Ka-ee Pelah. It is a true celebration of the local flavors and produce that make northern Iranian cuisine so incredibly fresh, tasty, and healthy. I am often surprised and delighted when simple dishes without a long…
Sholeh Zard – Saffron and rosewater rice pudding
Sholeh Zard is a beloved and popular rice pudding that has all the quintessential flavors of a Persian dessert. Fragrant Persian rice is slowly simmered in a large body of water until it begins to soften. One by one, saffron, rosewater, and sugar find their way into the pot and diligently do their part to…
Javahar Polo – Jeweled rice with saffron chicken
Javahar Polo (jeweled rice in Farsi), also known as Morasa Polo, is truly the ultimate rice dish that is often served at Persian New Year celebrations or at weddings. But you certainly don’t need to wait for spring equinox or a marriage proposal to treat yourself to this gem (all puns intended!) of a dish….
Reshteh Polo – Rice with noodles, raisins and dates
Reshteh Polo: another signature Persian dish that blends familiar ingredients and brings them together in an unpredictable and distinctive way! This rice dish has it all! Dates and raisins; onions and toasted noodles; saffron and rose water; cinnamon and turmeric. Finished off with a crispy bread Tahdig, and served with slow-cooked lamb shanks in a…
Albaloo Polo – Sour cherry rice with meatballs
Albaloo Polo has it all: sweet, sour, salt, carbohydrates, protein, soft, crispy, and bright, uplifting colors – all packed into one surprisingly humble dish. It is a delicious and flavorful meal and a true gastronomic experience that satisfies all the different taste buds in your palate. Albaloo is the Farsi word for Morello cherries, which…
Kalam Polo Shirazi – Kohlrabi and rice pilaf with meatballs
A traditional and popular dish from the city of Shiraz, Kalam Polo consists of kohlrabi (or cabbage) and small meatballs layered into rice, with – of course – an enticing combination of spices, herbs, and flavors. Shiraz, known for its beautiful gardens and its deep poetic tradition (it was the home of both Hafez and…