Kalam Polo (Persian Cabbage and Rice)
Kalam Polo (Persian Cabbage and Rice) layers fragrant saffron-steeped basmati with tender cabbage and spiced ground beef. Warm notes of cinnamon, turmeric, and a hint of ginger make it hearty and aromatic, perfect for a comforting family dinner or a weekend gathering. Each bite balances fluffy rice with savory, subtly sweet spices.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook1 hr 10 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Kalam Polo (Persian Cabbage and Rice), not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 57 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 33 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 89 / 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.
- 53
- Heart Health
- 47
- Metabolic
- 53
- Digestive
- 28
- Inflammatory
- 41
- Performance
- 57
- General Wellness
- 1
Pour boiling water over the ground saffron and let it sit for 30 minutes. Set aside 1/4 cup for the rice and save the remaining brewed saffron for another use.
- 2
Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion until light brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the ground beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and turmeric. Cook and stir until the beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Cover the pan and cook on low heat for 15 minutes.
- 3
Heat the remaining oil in another pan over medium heat. Sauté the cabbage until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the cinnamon and ginger. Stir this mixture into the ground beef mixture and continue cooking on low heat, covered, for 5 minutes, adding 1 tablespoon of water if the mixture is dry.
- 4
Rinse and drain the rice; transfer it to a pot. Add cold water, butter, and the remaining salt. Bring to a boil, uncovered. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the rice is half-cooked and the water has evaporated, 10 to 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- 5
Add the beef mixture to the rice and gently mix to combine. Turn the heat to low. Add hot water and the reserved 1/4 cup brewed saffron to the rice, cover the pot, and cook until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Calories 835.99 kcal High 42%
- Protein 30.31 g Good Source 61%
- Carbohydrate 94.79 g 34%
- Total Fat 36.46 g High 47%
- Saturated Fat 12.81 g High 64%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 88.36 mg High 29%
- Sodium 232.08 mg Moderate 10%
- Dietary Fiber 7.27 g Good Source 26%
- Total Sugars 3.97 g --
- Added Sugars 3.75 g Moderate 8%
- Calcium 160.16 mg Moderate 12%
- Iron 5.42 mg Good Source 30%
- Potassium 690.87 mg Moderate 15%
- Vitamin A 9.73 mcg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin C 47.98 mg Good Source 53%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Kalam Polo (Persian Cabbage and Rice) is made with 14 ingredients and serves 4. It takes about 1 hr 25 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Basmati Rice, Black Pepper, Bottled Water, and Butter. Each serving provides about 835.99 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Kalam Polo (Persian Cabbage and Rice) made of?
- The main ingredients are Basmati Rice, Black Pepper, Bottled Water, Butter, Green Cabbage. The full list of 14 is above.
- How long does it take to make Kalam Polo (Persian Cabbage and Rice)?
- About 1 hr 25 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 1 hr 10 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 835.99 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Kalam Polo (Persian Cabbage and Rice) easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 14 ingredients and 5 steps.
- Is Kalam Polo (Persian Cabbage and Rice) healthy?
- Kalam Polo (Persian Cabbage and Rice) has an easyChef Pro health score of 56/100. Per serving, it provides 835.99 calories and 30.31 g of protein, or 61% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of dietary fiber, iron and vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 232.08 mg (10% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 12.81 g (64% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 3.75 g (8% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat, Gluten and 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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