Kadoo Polo Sistani - Persian Lamb and Zucchini (Courgette) Rice
Kadoo Polo Sistani as the name suggests, is from the Sistan and Baluchestan Province - the second largest of the 31 provinces of Iran. A mix of rice, courgettes (zucchini), lamb, and spices creates a wonderfully delicious and flavorful dish that is comforting and satisfying. Each component brings its unique qualities to the dish.
Reshteh Polo - Persian Noodle Rice with Onions and Raisins
Reshteh Polo is a widely loved Persian rice dish. The floral aroma of the saffron rice combined with the sweetness of the caramelised onions and raisins make for a multifaceted dish - too good for a humble side dish really. The brown noodles in the rice create the most mouthwatering tahdig (the crispy bits from the bottom of the pot)!
Chelo Khoresh-e Gardan - Slow Cooked Persian Lamb Neck Stew
Savouring a slow-cooked lamb neck stew is like a cosy hug for your taste buds!
The magic happens as the lamb becomes incredibly tender, soaking up a symphony of aromatic spices. With each bite, you're treated to a burst of rich flavours, creating a delightful and comforting experience. This stew is a surefire way to turn any meal into a warm and unforgettable culinary adventure!
Khoresh-e Pesteh - Persian Pistachio Stew
Khoresh-e Pesteh is originally from Rafsanjan - a city in the Central District of Rafsanjan County, Kerman Province, Iran. It’s prepared with the best native pistachios. Pistachio stew is considered a kind of royal food and is cooked for special gatherings and ceremonies.
Kalam Ghomri Polo Shirazi - Persian Kohlrabi Rice
Kalam Polo Shirazi is a popular dish from Shiraz. A delightful Iranian dish that combines the earthy taste of Kolhrabi with aromatic spices and herbs.
Shiraz is a historic and culturally significant city located in the southwest of Iran. It is the capital of the Fars Province and one of the country's most famous cities. Shiraz is known for its rich history, poetic heritage, beautiful gardens, and vibrant culture. Its blend of history, culture, and natural beauty makes it a must-visit destination for those interested in exploring the rich heritage of Iran. It is a city that beautifully showcases the depth and diversity of Persian culture.
Khoresh-e Khalal - Persian Lamb Stew with Dried Limes, Black Barberries, and Slivered Almonds
Khoresh-e Khalal is a flavourful lamb stew from the Kermanshah province in western Iran. The black barberries give the dish a pleasant hint of sourness. The sun-soaked limes add further tartness and irresistible fragrance, while the slivered almonds add texture, making each spoon full a multi-sensory adventure.
Khoresh-e Kadoo Sabz - Persian Lamb Stew With Zucchini (Courgette)
Khoresh-e Kadoo Sabz is a delicious Persian lamb stew with courgette/zucchini, sour grapes, and tomatoes. This tasty red stew is very popular with European and American friends.
Chelo Mahicheh Pesaran-e Karim - Karim’s Sons’ Lamb Shanks And Rice
‘Pesarane Karim restaurant’ is a very famous name that (if you’re a foodie) can make you hungry just by hearing it. The history behind this restaurant begins in 1921 with Karim Qasemzadeh Hatami, also known as Karim Shishliki. He became successful and helped the Mashhad food and restaurant industry a lot through the influence that came with his success. In 1980 his sons decided to grow the business and focus on their signature dish ‘Chelo Mahicheh’, that carries their name ever since. It’s a very famous recipe that’s not only served in their own chain restaurants but also elsewhere and in many households in Iran.
Khoresh-e Gheymeh - Persian lamb stew with yellow split peas and dried limes
Gheymeh Stew is one of the classic Persian dishes! This lamb stew with yellow split peas, topped up with crispy homemade potato fries is high up on most Iranians’ list of favourite foods. If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend you do. I’m sure you’ll love it!
I’m certain that I’m not the only one who has memories of family dinners revolving around Khoreshe Gheymeh. Usually we would all storm the kitchen as soon as the enticing smell of homemade fries hitting the hot oil would reach our bedrooms. Needless to say, few of the fries lasted until it was time to serve. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
Sabzi Polo ba Mahi – Fried Fish with Saffron and Herb Rice
Sabzi Polo ba Mahi is a classic Persian dish which translates to “herb rice with fish”. Iranians around the world don’t only prepare this delicious on Shab-e Norouz, the night before Norouz. Norouz (the Persian New Year at the beginning of spring), but any day from autumn through spring.
The fish is fried and served with aromatic saffron and herb rice, bitter oranges (naarenj), and pickled garlic (sir torshi).
Dam Pokhtak Recipe - Split Fava (Broad) Bean Rice
Dam Pokhtak is an easy, delicious Persian rice dish with split fava (broad) beans. It’s also called Dami Baghali. This dish is so underrated! You never hear anyone say ‘Dam Pokhtak is my favourite Persian dish!’, but as soon as someone mentions it, everyone goes ‘Oh I love it!’.
At dinner parties of course every Iranian wants to show off their cooking skills and use expensive ingredients, so no one prepares Dam Pokhtak for their guests. But if they’d ask their guests ‘what would you like me to cook?’, I bet many of them would ask for Dam Pokhtak.
Kalam Polo Recipe - Persian Cabbage Rice
Kalam Polo is a flavourful Persian rice dish with white cabbage and ground meat. The rice is steamed together with the white cabbage, onions, garlic, meat and spices, so that it soaks up all the goodness.
I used beef in this recipe but you could also use lamb, a mix of beef and lamb, or a vegan ground meat alternative. You can also leave the meat out completely and it will still taste phenomenal!
Loobia Polo Recipe - Persian Lamb and Green Bean Rice
Loobia Polo is my absolute favourite dish! I know I say this a lot, put hands down, if I could only pick one favourite, it would be Loobya Polo. It is a mouthwatering Persian rice dish with lamb and green beans. The sauce is cooked first and then combined with the rice. They both steam together for around 1 hour, allowing the rice to absorb all the rich flavours of the sauce.
Albaloo Polo – Persian Saffron and Sour Cherry Rice
Albaloo Polo is a fragrant Persian saffron rice dish, topped with gently caramelised sour cherries and golden brown meatballs. You can even add more colour and texture to the Albaloo Polo with slivered pistachios and almonds.
You can easily make this beautiful rice dish vegetarian by not adding any meatballs. It is more than delicious enough on its own and can also be served as a side dish to chicken! Although, I would consider the chicken to be the side and this gorgeous jewelled rice the main dish.