Zereshk Polo (Persian dish)

This is a cultural Persian dish called Zereshk Polo. The literal definition of zereshk polo is barberry-rice, and coincidentally thats exactly what it consists of. On the side you have barbecued tomatoes, sometimes you can even put a barbecued peppers to spice it up. Last, but certainly not least the fire grilled chicken filet thats made to perfection.


The ingredients to make it are as follows:


4 cups (32 oz) basmati or long-grain rice
1/4 cup salt
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1 cup (8 oz) dried barberries (also known as Zereshk)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp powdered saffron


Directions for cooking are as follows:


-Rinse rice 3 times, then soak in warm water with 1/4 cup salt for 5 hours. Drain.
-In a large (8 qt) pot, bring 8 cups water to a boil. Add rice and cook 8 to 10 minutes until slightly soft. Drain in a colander.
-Rinse barberries (if using) 3 times. Melt butter in a small pot; add barberries and sauté 1 minute. Add sugar; sauté 1 minute more. Dilute saffron in 1/2 cup hot water and stir into barberries.

-In the large pot used to cook the rice, heat 3 Tbsp oil. Add rice, using a large spoon and fluffing rice. Pour barberry mixture over the rice.
-Cover pot and cook over low heat about 30 minutes. For a crisp, golden layer on bottom of rice (called ta-dig), cook another 15 minutes.
-Using a large serving spoon, place rice in a large flat serving dish, gently mixing the barberries with the rice.



As for the chicken, everyone has their own preferences towards how they like their chicken cooked.