Adas Polo (Persian Lentil and Rice Pilaf)

Name: Adas Polo (Persian Lentil and Rice Pilaf)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Persian
Ingredients: 0.75 cup Chopped Dates; 2 cups Lentils; 0.75 cup Raisin; 0.5 tsp Saffron; 0.5 tsp Salt; 0.25 cup Vegetable Oil; 4 cups Water; 1 lb White Rice; 2 whole Yellow Onion

Side Dish 🥗Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 Persian 🇮🇷 Low-Sodium Gluten-Free Vegetarian 🥦Vegan 🌱Plant-Based 🌻Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️

Adas Polo (Persian Lentil and Rice Pilaf) layers fluffy saffron-kissed rice with tender lentils, creating a comforting base that’s enriched by caramelized onions. Juicy raisins and dates add gentle sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the savory grains, making it a festive side or hearty main for family dinners, gatherings, or holidays.

Prep20 mins
Cook1 hr 15 mins
Serves8
DifficultyMedium

1

Put the rice in a bowl and cover it with water. Soak the rice for about 3 hours, then drain the water. In a saucepan, bring the rice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 4 cups water to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is partially cooked, about 10 minutes. Drain the liquid from the rice and set the rice aside.
2

In a saucepan, bring 2 more cups of water and a pinch of salt to a boil, then stir in the lentils. Return to a boil, and cook over medium heat until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat.
3

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the onions, stirring often, until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Set the onions aside. Dissolve the saffron in 1/3 cup of hot water and set aside.
4

In a large, deep nonstick pot, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil until shimmering, then spoon in half of the rice to cover the bottom. Add the lentils on top, then cover the lentils with the remaining rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the rice is fully tender and a golden brown, crusty layer forms on the bottom, about 20 minutes. Pour the saffron water over the rice and lentils, cover, and cook until absorbed, about 10 more minutes.
5

To serve, spoon the polo into a serving dish, then peel off and place pieces of the crusty rice layer on top of the polo. Garnish the polo with dates, raisins, and the fried onions.