Shirin Polo
Shirin Polo is a sweet Iranian rice dish made of rice and sugar, flavored with saffron garnished with pistachio, almond, carrot, and orange zest, and served with Khoresh Gheimeh.
What are the Ingredients?
Rice Ingredients
- 4cups Persian rice
- 10cups water
- salt
Sorbet
- 150g sugar
- 75ml water
- 1tbs saffron powder
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
Garnish
- orange zest from 1 orange
- 1tbs sugar
- 1big carrot
- 3 tbsp slivered almonds
- 3 tbsp slivered pistachios
- 2 tsp butter
Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 2h15 minutes | Cooking method: cooking |
Cooking Skills: Easy | Meal: Lunch/dinner | Suitable for: 4 people |
How to prepare Shirin Polo?
Step 1: Preparing Ingredients
Rinse and soak the rice in salty water for at least an hour.
Brew the saffron.
Cut the orange zest into strips with a spiralizer.
Cut the carrots into juliennes and set aside.
Soak the slivered almond and slivered pistachio for 30 minutes. Rinse and drain. Set aside.
Step 2: Sorbet
In a saucepan mix sugar and water, and simmer for a few minutes. Add brewed saffron and oil. Let it completely cool.
Step 3: Preparing Rice
Fill a large nonstick pot with 10 cups of water, and add salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the rinsed rice to the boiling water, and continue cooking over medium to high heat. Stir occasionally. After 5-6 mins. scoop some rice grains from the water using a slotted spoon. Break one grain in half to make sure it is “al dente”. The rice should be firm in the center and soft on the outside. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Step 4: Adding Sorbet and Cooking Rice
Melt 2 tbsp butter in the same pot. Put the drained rice in the pot, wrap the lid with a cotton towel and cover the pot. Steam the rice over medium heat for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the sorbet to the rice and stir slightly. Shape a pyramid. Cover the pot with the wrapped lid and put it over medium heat for 45 minutes.
Step 5: Preparing Orange Zest
In a small saucepan bring some water to a boil and add the zest to the boiling water. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Repeat this process four more times to remove the bitter taste.
In a small pan melt 1 teaspoon of butter, and add the zest, sugar, and pinch of saffron. Saute for a few minutes. Set aside.
Step 6: Preparing Carrots
Put julienned carrots in a pan, add 1tsp butter, cover the lid and saute over low heat for a few minutes. Stir occasionally. Set aside.
Step 7:Serve
Scoop the rice onto a big platter, and shape a pyramid. Garnish with orange zest, carrots, slivered almonds, pistachios, and Tahdig.
Serve with Khoresh Gheimeh.
Noosh-e-Jaan
Useful links:
Delicious Iranian Side Dishes
Different types of Tadig
How to brew saffron?