Nov 19

The main Khoresht used for making Loobia Polo is Khoreshte Loobia Sabz, which I have explained previously under Khoreshte Loobia Sabz (Green Bean Stew) . I will explain the steps for the Khoresht below as well. The main difference will be that the end product of the Khoreshte Loobia Sabz will be mixed in with the rice to cook.

Loobia Polo (Green Bean Rice)

Loobia Polo (Green Bean Rice)

Ingredients (serving for 4-6 people):
Cut green beans — I used half a bag of frozen cut green beans
Stew meat — used less than .5 lbs, you will want to chop the meat into little pieces
1 full tablespoon Tomato Paste — you can use more if you prefer
Limoo Amani (optional) — you can also use powdered limoo amani
Lemon juice
Salt/pepper
turmeric
1 medium onion — finely chopped
oil
1 1/2 to 2 cups water
3 to 3 1/2 cups rice –rinse the rice well until it is cleaned and then soak in water…add salt to the water you are soaking the rice in and set aside for awhile (or until the Khoresht (stew) is ready)
Potato (optional) — if you wish to have tahdig sibzamini (potato crispy slices) of your rice have cut slices of potato you

Directions:
First wash your rice and soak it in water as mentioned in the ingredients section.

In a pot heat up some oil and add your chopped onions to it. Once the onion begin turning a golden color and becomes tender add your meat to the pot. Stir around the meat and then add turmeric, salt, and pepper. Add your green beans to the pot and allow them to fry a bit (if frozen you may have to fry it a bit longer for the ice to melt as well). Add water to the pot, followed by tomato paste and lemon juice (if you choose you can add limoo amani as well). Place the lid on the pot and allow the Khoresht to cook on a medium heat (approximately 1 hour). You will know the khoresht is ready when it has thickened a bit (less watery) and gives out oil.

Once the Khoreshte Loobia is ready in a different pot heat up water on high heat to prepare the rice. Once the water comes to a boil, pour out the water the rice has been soaking in and pour the rice into the pot. When the rice comes to a boil remove it from the heat before it overflows and use a strainer to empty the rice from the pot. In the same pot add some water ( 1/2 a cup) and some oil and place it back on the stove top (still on high heat). At this point if you wish to have tahdig sibzamini you can place cut potato slices on the bottom of the pot (wait till the oil is heated before doing so)…also if you wish to use potato slices be sure to add a bit more oil to the pot. Add half the rice into the pot then pour a layer of the Khoreshte Loobia onto the rice, then add the remaining rice and add any remaining Khoreshte Loobia on top. You can mix around the contents a bit and then place a towel over the lid of the pot and cover the pot. Once the steam begins escaping the pot you can turn the stove top heat to a low temperature. You may want to wait a bit longer before turning the heat to low if you are using potato slices. Let the Loobia Polo cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hours and then serve.

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Nov 16

This is a simple form of Khoreshte Esfenaj. Many people use Tareh (or green onions if no Tareh is available) and/or Aloo (prune) in the Khoresht as well (known as Khoreshte Aloo Esfenaj).  You can make the Khoresht (stew) with chicken or lamb meat.

Khoreshte Esfenaj ba Morgh

Khoreshte Esfenaj ba Morgh

Ingredients (4-6 servings):
500 grams chopped spinach — I decided to use frozen chopped spinach
2 chicken breasts cut into pieces –you can opt to choose chicken thighs or lamb meat
1 small onion chopped up
oil
salt/pepper
turmeric
lemon juice
aloo (optional) — I added 3-4 prunes (aloo khoshk)
approximately 2 cups water

Khoresht Esfenaj

Khoresht Esfenaj

Directions:
In a pot fry the chopped onions in oil until they turn a light golden color and become tender. Add in the chicken and stir. Add salt, pepper, and turmeric. Stir the chicken around for a few minutes then add the spinach to the pot. Whether you are using fresh or frozen spinach after you add the spinach to the pot you can stir around/fry the spinach a bit or just go ahead and add the water. After adding the water, add the lemon juice and prunes then cover the pot and allow the Khoreshte Esfenaj to cook for 1 - 1 1/2 hours on medium heat…cooking time depends on how much water you want the Khoresht to have as well.

Serve with rice.

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Nov 12

Shami is very similar to Kotlet (in my opinion anyhow) and is pretty good eaten alone or with bread. The most popular Shami is Shami Aarde Nokhodchi, which as its name implies is mainly made with chickpea flour. I typically buy the chickpea flour from International or Persian grocery stores.

Shami

Shami

Ingredients (for approximately 16 -18 patties):
approximately 1 lb ground beef
300 grams chickpea flour
1 medium onions — both need to be grated
1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
salt/pepper
1 cup cold water
oil

Directions:

Shami - Mixing the ingredients

Shami - Mixing the ingredients

In a bowl mix the grated onions with some salt and pepper. Dissolve the baking soda in 1 cup cold water and then add it into the bowl and mix the contents. Add the aarde nokhodchi (chickpea flour) and the ground beef into the liquid mixture and using your hand thoroughly mash the contents up. If the mixture seems to dry you can add some more water.

Shami - frying

Shami - frying

Add oil to a frying pan and heat it up (set stove top to medium heat). Take amounts (tangerine sized) of the mixture and form into a round ball, then flatten into a round shape in your hand. Form a small hole in the center and then place in the frying pan. Once one side is fried and has a golden brown color, flip the Shami (patty) over and fry the other side as well. Repeat process until all the patties are fried.

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