Silky Iranian Reshteh Polo with Lentil and Raisins

Name: Silky Iranian Reshteh Polo with Lentil and Raisins
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 250g reshteh (Persian noodles); 2 cups Basmati rice, rinsed; 1 cup lentils, rinsed; 1 cup raisins; 1 large onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, ground and steeped in 2 tablespoons hot water; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; Salt, to taste; 2 tablespoons slivered almonds; 2 tablespoons slivered pistachios; Fresh parsley, chopped

A Delightful Persian Staple with a Sweet and Savory Twist

Reshteh Polo is a traditional Persian dish combining noodles with the earthy flavors of lentils and the sweet notes of raisins, creating a harmonious and fragrant meal that’s perfect for any day.

1 h 30 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Reshteh Polo

250g reshteh (Persian noodles)

2 cups Basmati rice, rinsed

1 cup lentils, rinsed

1 cup raisins

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, ground and steeped in 2 tablespoons hot water

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Salt, to taste

For the Garnish

2 tablespoons slivered almonds

2 tablespoons slivered pistachios

Fresh parsley, chopped

Preparation

Preparing the Lentils

Boil Lentils

Boil the lentils in a medium saucepan with 4 cups of water until tender but not mushy, about 20-25 minutes.

Drain Lentils

Drain and set aside.

Preparing the Rice and Noodles

Parboil Rice

In a large pot, bring 8 cups of salted water to a boil. Add the rice and cook for 10 minutes.

Do not overcook the rice and noodles; they should be slightly firm (al dente).

Add Noodles

Add the broken noodles and cook together for an additional 5 minutes.

Drain Rice and Noodles

Drain the mixture in a colander and set aside.

Rinse the rice and noodles briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process and maintain texture.

Cooking Process

Sauté Onions

Heat the vegetable oil in a pan and fry the onions until golden brown.

Timing: 10 min • Heat Guide: Sautéing Onions: Medium heat

Combine Ingredients

In a large pot, layer the rice-noodle mixture, lentils, raisins, fried onions, and sprinkle with cinnamon and the steeped saffron.

Steam-Set

Cover with a kitchen towel and lid, cook over low heat for 20-25 minutes until fully steamed.

Timing: 20-25 min • Heat Guide: Steam-Setting: Low heat

Plating & Serving