Sabzi Polow

 Persian New Year (Nowruz) celebrates the first day of spring (Bahar) with all its beauty, greenery and blossoms. Traditional Nowruz dishes are made with herbs representing new life and revival. سبزی پلو Sabzi polow is a delicious and healthy dish usually served with smoked white fish (mahi doodi) or fried fish. I posted a sabzi polow ba mahi recipe last year, here. However, this new variation came about in an attempt to have every grain of rice and chopped vegetables blend well together. In addition to the fresh vegetables, I used about 2-3 tablespoons of dried herbs (a combination of parsley, leek, and dill).

Sabzi Polow

Ingredients:

Serves 4-6

1 cup of chopped parsley

1 cup of chopped dill

1 cup of chopped scallions or leek (green parts only)

1 cup of chopped coriander 

2-3 tablespoons dried mixed herbs for sabzi polow *optional

3-4 cloves of garlic, peeled *optional
2 1/2 cups of long-grain rice

1/2 teaspoon powdered saffron dissolved in 4 tablespoons of hot water

Salt
Vegetable oil/olive oil


Method:

1. Clean vegetables, wash, and finely chop either by hand or use a food processor. Mix well and set aside. 
2. Wash rice and soak in 8 cups of salted water for two hours. 
3. In a non-stick heavy pot bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. 
4. Drain the rice and add to the boiling water, let it boil on medium to high heat for about 7 minutes. Check whether the rice grain is firm at the center and soft on both ends. 
5. Using a colander drain the rice and rinse with cool water. 
6. Wash and dry the pot and put it back on the stove on medium heat. 
7. Add 4 tablespoons of oil, add the rice and layer with the chopped vegetables, sprinkle the dried vegetables over each layer to cover the rice evenly. 
8. Place the cloves in the rice and make a few holes with the bottom of a spatula. 
9.  When the rice starts steaming, sprinkle the liquid saffron over the rice, add 2 tablespoons of oil and 1/4 cup of water. 
10. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for about 45-50 minutes. 
11. Serve the rice on a platter along with fish.

Enjoy and Eid Mobarak!