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Classic Persian Zereshk Polo ba Morgh (Saffron Rice with Ruby Barberries and Spiced Chicken)

Name: Classic Persian Zereshk Polo ba Morgh (Saffron Rice with Ruby Barberries and Spiced Chicken)
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: middle_eastern
Ingredients: 800 g Bone-in skin-on chicken thighs; 350 g Long-grain basmati rice, soaked in salted water; 80 g Dried Persian ruby barberries (zereshk), rinsed; 1 pinch Ground saffron steeped in 4 tbsp warm water; 50 g Butter 82%; 1 tbsp Sugar to balance tart barberries; 1 pc Yellow onion, diced; 1.5 tbsp Tomato paste; 25 g Slivered raw pistachios; 1 tsp Ground turmeric; 1 tsp Sea salt

The jewel-toned masterpiece of Persian banquet hospitality: tender chicken braised in saffron tomato broth, accompanied by fluffy basmati rice crowned with sweet-tart ruby barberries (zereshk), slivered pistachios, and golden saffron.

Prep

25 min

Cook

45 min

Total

70 min

Ingredients

servings

Bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
800 g
Long-grain basmati rice, soaked in salted water
350 g
Dried Persian ruby barberries (zereshk), rinsed
80 g
Ground saffron steeped in 4 tbsp warm water
1 pinch
Butter 82%
50 g
Sugar to balance tart barberries
1 tbsp
Yellow onion, diced
1 pc
Tomato paste
1 ½ tbsp
Slivered raw pistachios
25 g
Ground turmeric
1 tsp
Sea salt
1 tsp

Preparation Steps

Brown chicken and onions in 2 tbsp butter with turmeric for 10 mins. Add tomato paste, salt, 2 tbsp saffron water, and 200ml water. Cover and simmer 35 mins until tender and saucy.

40 min timer

Parboil rice in salted water 6-7 mins until al dente; drain. Melt 2 tbsp butter in non-stick pot, mound rice into a pyramid, cover lid with clean tea towel (damkoni), and steam on low for 30 mins.

30 min timer

Sauté barberries with butter, sugar, and slivered pistachios over very low heat for 1-2 mins. Mix 3 ladles of steamed rice with remaining saffron water until bright golden. Plate white rice, top with saffron rice, glowing barberries, and pistachios; serve alongside braised chicken.

3 min timer

Cooking Journal

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Nutrition Facts

per serving

Calories

580

Protein

38g

Carbohydrates

62g

Fat

21g

Allergens

MilkNuts

*estimated values per serving

Provenance & Public Domain Audit

Source: Middle Eastern & North African Culinary Heritage / USDA Public Domain Collection (United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) & Levantine Gastronomic Archive)

Legal status: Public Domain (17 U.S.C. § 105) • 17 U.S.C. § 105

License: Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal

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Classic Persian Zereshk Polo ba Morgh (Saffron Rice with Ruby Barberries and Spiced Chicken)

Ingredients

Preparation Steps

Cooking Journal

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