Adas Polo (Persian Lentil and Rice Pilaf)
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
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Adas Polo (Persian Lentil and Rice Pilaf), not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 49 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 38 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 86 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 89
- Heart Health
- 40
- Metabolic
- 58
- Digestive
- 41
- Inflammatory
- 34
- Performance
- 56
- General Wellness
- 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.
- Calories 441.49 kcal High 22%
- Protein 9.61 g Moderate 19%
- Carbohydrate 89.7 g 33%
- Total Fat 7.1 g Moderate 9%
- Saturated Fat 0.99 g Low Source 5%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 0.0 mg Low Source 0%
- Sodium 22.92 mg Low Source 1%
- Dietary Fiber 10.6 g Good Source 38%
- Total Sugars 28.82 g --
- Added Sugars 4.96 g Moderate 10%
- Calcium 57.49 mg Low Source 4%
- Iron 3.88 mg Good Source 22%
- Potassium 434.86 mg Low Source 9%
- Vitamin A 1.37 mcg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin C 8.2 mg Low Source 9%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Adas Polo (Persian Lentil and Rice Pilaf) is made with 9 ingredients and serves 8. It takes about 1 hr 35 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Chopped Dates, Lentils, Raisin, and Saffron. Each serving provides about 441.49 kcal, and is a good source of fiber.
Recipe Questions
- What is Adas Polo (Persian Lentil and Rice Pilaf) made of?
- The main ingredients are Chopped Dates, Lentils, Raisin, Saffron, Salt. The full list of 9 is above.
- How long does it take to make Adas Polo (Persian Lentil and Rice Pilaf)?
- About 1 hr 35 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 1 hr 15 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 441.49 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Adas Polo (Persian Lentil and Rice Pilaf) easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 9 ingredients and 5 steps.
- Is Adas Polo (Persian Lentil and Rice Pilaf) healthy?
- Adas Polo (Persian Lentil and Rice Pilaf) has an easyChef Pro health score of 56/100. Per serving, it provides 441.49 calories and 9.61 g of protein, or 19% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of dietary fiber and iron. Worth noting per serving: added sugars at 4.96 g (10% of the Daily Value). It contains Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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