Middle Eastern restaurants are my favorite. I’ve never experienced such a richness of flavors in any other cuisine. This is why if I want to impress a client, I take him to one of these restaurants. Like this client in the following story. Not only we had a successful business meeting, but I also got to leave with an incredible recipe in my pocket, the Persian lubia polo recipe.
As a business person, I was happy to have the opportunity to meet with a client for a business lunch at an exquisite Middle Eastern restaurant located in Springfield, Virginia. I felt privileged to be able to sample their delicious cuisine and explore the diverse flavors of the region while discussing the details of our upcoming venture. This provided me with an excellent chance to make a good impression on my new client and further develop our professional relationship.
The atmosphere of the restaurant was inviting and welcoming, with its attractive decorations and vibrant energy. The cozy setting had an aura of comfort that made it a pleasant place to be in. As a result, it created an invigorating yet peaceful ambiance. The cheerful bustle from the customers who were dining gave the restaurant a lively feel that was both delightful and energizing. The fragrant and exotic scents of spices and herbs wafted through the air. Therefore, the sumptuous aromas stirred my senses and filled me with a sense of awe as if I had journeyed to another world.
Our server, a youthful Middle Eastern gentleman, was exceedingly helpful and informed about all the items on the menu. He was affable and polite, providing us with a pleasant experience. He presented us with a tantalizingly delicious dish of Persian lubia polo. The chef masterfully prepared it with aromatic rice, fresh green beans, and succulent ground lamb. The delightful combination of these ingredients created a flavor that was truly unforgettable. Moreover, the chef cooked the succulent meat to absolute perfection, and it truly had divine, delectable flavors. Every bite was a delightful experience that tantalized the taste buds and left us wanting more.
As we were about to finish our meal, an unexpected belly dance show began. The dancer characterized her alluring performance with graceful and well-coordinated movements as she swayed to the tempo of the music. An electrifying atmosphere filled the restaurant, captivating all those present with her performance. The dining experience at this Middle Eastern restaurant was unlike any other, adding a truly unique and unforgettable layer to its already abundant culture.
As the dancer gracefully bowed to the audience for her final performance, I eagerly turned to the owner of the restaurant and implored him to reveal the recipe for his delicious lubia polo. I begged with such enthusiasm and determination that he could not resist my pleas; surely, he must have known how much I truly desired this delightful dish! To my great astonishment, he gave his consent to pass on the recipe to me.
Persian lubia polo is a traditional Iranian rice dish that is made using a variety of spices and ingredients to create a delicious and aromatic flavor. Firstly, the dish includes basmati rice, olive oil, onion, and cloves of garlic. Additionally, the dish includes ground lamb, advieh or curry powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, and dried thyme or savory. Finally, the seasoning of this dish includes salt and dried lime powder or lemon juice. The recipe also includes green beans, tomato paste, and saffron.
You can serve this delicious and aromatic dish with a variety of sides and accompaniments to complement its bold flavors. Here are some of the most popular options to serve with Persian lubia polo:
Salad Shirazi: This refreshing salad is made with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and parsley, with lemon juice and olive oil dressing. It makes a perfect side dish to balance the richness of the rice.
Mast-o-Khiar: This yogurt and cucumber dip is a staple in Persian cuisine and serves as a great cooling agent to balance the spiciness of the dish. It is made by mixing yogurt, grated cucumber, dried mint, and salt.
Shirazi Cucumber and Mint Yogurt: This cooling and flavorful yogurt dip is made with Greek yogurt, diced cucumber, chopped mint, and a pinch of salt. Additionally, you can also serve it as a refreshing side salad.
Torshi: This tangy and spicy pickled vegetable relish adds a flavorful kick to the meal. It is made with mixed vegetables such as eggplant, carrots, and garlic, with vinegar and spices marinade.
Shirin Polow: This sweet and fragrant rice dish is made with basmati rice, saffron, orange peel, almonds, and raisins. It is a great option to balance the spiciness of the lubia polo.
Sholeh Zard: This saffron and rosewater-infused rice pudding is a popular dessert in Persian cuisine. It makes a great sweet ending to the meal.
Lavash or Bread: Iranian flatbread or lavash is a staple in Iranian cuisine and serves as a great accompaniment to the meal.
So here is the recipe for that delicious Persian lubia polo we had:
Ingredients of the Persian lubia polo:
- 2 cups of basmati rice
- 3 tbsp of olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 lb of 90% lean ground lamb
- 1 tsp of advieh or curry powder
- 1 tsp of cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp of ground cumin
- 1 tsp of turmeric
- 1/2 tsp of ground black pepper
- 1 tsp of dried thyme or savory
- 1¼ tsp of salt (adjust as needed)
- 1 tsp dried lime powder or 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 lb of green beans (cut into ½ inch or use frozen)
- 6 oz of tomato paste
- 1/3 tsp of saffron (dissolved in 2 tbsp hot water)
How to make Persian lubia polo?
Making the ground meat with green beans:
- In a cooking pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium flame.
- Chop some onions and sauté them up in a pan for a few minutes.
- Continue to sauté the onions, adding grated garlic until they are a light golden brown.
- Add the ground lamb and sauté.
- Mix together all the spices, dried herbs, advieh/curry powder, lemon powder, and salt (½ tsp) in a bowl and stir for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the green beans.
- Mix in some tomato paste and combine it thoroughly. If the mixture is too dense, put a splash of water into it. Cover the pot and simmer until the beans until cooking them approximately ¾ of the way.
- The combination should be damp but not overly wet, as it will continue to cook during the steaming process.
Making the rice:
Rinse the two cups of white basmati rice several times in water until it is clear and not starchy, then drain thoroughly in a colander.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a pot of 6 cups of water and 1 tbsp salt until boiling.
- Cook the rice on medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is softened.
- After draining the rice, set it aside. The ideal texture for cooked rice is al dente; in other words, it has soft tips and a white dot in the center and holds its shape well.
Rice Cooker Method:
- Bring 3 cups of water, ¾ teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a boiling point.
- Simmer rice with water until it is completely absorbed, which should take between 15 and 20 minutes.
- Do not leave the rice to steam after all of the water has been absorbed, or it may become lumpy.
Assembling the rice with the meat / green beans:
Stovetop Method:
- Layer cooked rice and the sautéed combination of meat and green beans in an alternating pattern in a pot with a thick bottom.
- Cover the dish with a tablespoon of olive oil and saffron water.
- You can make a crust out of either potato or rice if desired.
- Set the heat to medium-high for 10 minutes and then bring it down to a simmer for 20-30 minutes until steam forms.
Rice Cooker Method:
- Steam a combination of rice, meat, and green beans in a rice cooker.
- You can make a crust out of either potato or rice if desired.
- Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and mix it gently.
- Serve Persian Lubia Polo alongside a Salad Shirazi, a yogurt dip with shallots, or opt for a green salad accompanied by pickles and/or pickled olives.
This is it. a wonderful recipe for a wonderful dish. This can easily serve as a whole lunch or dinner at home which will be healthy, delicious, and satisfying. Enjoy!
