Best 4 Zardalu Polo Persian Lamb And Apricot Pilaf Recipes

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Zardalu Polo is a traditional Persian dish that combines the sweet and savory flavors of lamb, apricots, and basmati rice. Originating in the northern regions of Iran, this pilaf dish is a beloved comfort food often served during special occasions and family gatherings. The dish features tender pieces of lamb stewed in a flavorful sauce made with aromatic spices, dried apricots, and sometimes nuts. The lamb is then combined with fluffy basmati rice that has been cooked with saffron, butter, and various herbs. The result is a colorful and flavorful dish that tantalizes the taste buds with its perfect balance of sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors. In this article, we will explore two variations of Zardalu Polo: the classic recipe using lamb and a vegetarian version made with tofu. Both recipes provide step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure a delicious and authentic Zardalu Polo experience.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ZARDALU POLO - PERSIAN LAMB AND APRICOT PILAF



Zardalu Polo - Persian Lamb and Apricot Pilaf image

Make and share this Zardalu Polo - Persian Lamb and Apricot Pilaf recipe from Food.com.

Provided by LikeItLoveIt

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup butter
1 onion, finely chopped
1 lb lean lamb fillets, cubed
salt, pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 1/2 tablespoons seedless raisins, preferably golden
4 ounces fresh apricots or 4 ounces dried apricots, halved
2 cups long-grain rice, washed in 3 changes of water

Steps:

  • Heat butter in heavy pan and fry onion until golden.
  • Add meat and brown on all sides.
  • Season to taste with salt, pepper, turmeric and cinnamon.
  • Mix in raisins and apricots.
  • Add water (about 3/4 cup) to cover.
  • Cover and simmer over very low heat 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours or until meat is very tender.
  • Stir occasionally to prevent scorching, adding water if necessary.
  • Texture should be thick but pourable.
  • Boil 4 cups water, add 1/2 teaspoon salt and rice.
  • Bring to boil again and boil 2 minutes, then reduce heat, cover pan and cook over low heat 10 to 15 minutes or until almost tender.
  • Fluff with fork.
  • Arrange rice and stew in alternate layers in heavy saucepan, beginning and ending with layers of rice.
  • Set over very low heat, stretch clean cloth over pot and place cover over cloth.
  • Steam 20 minutes, or until rice is tender.

TURKISH LAMB PILAU



Turkish lamb pilau image

Serve up a basmati rice one pot flavoured with cinnamon, mint and apricot, studded with tender lamb

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Supper

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 9

small handful pine nuts or flaked almonds
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion , halved and sliced
2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
500g lean lamb neck fillet, cubed
250g basmati rice
1 lamb or vegetable stock cube
12 ready-to-eat dried apricots
handful fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped

Steps:

  • Dry-fry the pine nuts or almonds in a large pan until lightly toasted, then tip onto a plate. Add the oil to the pan, then fry the onion and cinnamon together until starting to turn golden. Turn up the heat, stir in the lamb, fry until the meat changes colour, then tip in the rice and cook for 1 min, stirring all the time.
  • Pour in 500ml boiling water, crumble in the stock cube, add the apricots, then season to taste. Turn the heat down, cover and simmer for 12 mins until the rice is tender and the stock has been absorbed. Toss in the pine nuts and mint and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 584 calories, Fat 24 grams fat, SaturatedFat 9 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 65 grams carbohydrates, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 32 grams protein, Sodium 1.4 milligram of sodium

SLOW-ROAST PERSIAN LAMB WITH POMEGRANATE SALAD



Slow-roast Persian lamb with pomegranate salad image

This sweet, meltingly-tender lamb makes a show-stopping dinner party dish

Provided by Barney Desmazery

Categories     Dinner, Main course

Time 3h50m

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 tbsp pomegranate molasses
1 tsp ground cumin
juice 1 lemon
1 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, roughly chopped
1 shoulder of lamb, weighing about 1.6kg, lightly scored
seeds 2 pomegranates
handful flat-leaf parsley leaves
100g bag watercress
1 small red onion, finely diced
1 tbsp olive oil
flatbreads, to serve

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. In a small bowl, mix the molasses with the cumin, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic. Scatter the onion over a casserole dish or a deep roasting tin. Place the lamb on top of the onions. Pour the glaze over the lamb. Rinse the bowl out with about 200ml water, then pour it around - not over - the lamb.
  • Cover the dish with a lid or the tin with a large piece of foil. Roast the lamb, undisturbed, for 3 hrs, then remove the lid or foil and continue to roast for 30 mins to give the lamb colour. When the lamb has had its time, pour off the juices, remove as much fat as possible, then pour the juices back over the lamb.
  • Just before serving, gently toss all the salad ingredients together. Serve the lamb with its sauce, the salad and some warmed flatbreads.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 554 calories, Fat 39 grams fat, SaturatedFat 18 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 15 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 13 grams sugar, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 37 grams protein, Sodium 0.35 milligram of sodium

LAMB AND APRICOT PILAF



Lamb and Apricot Pilaf image

Make and share this Lamb and Apricot Pilaf recipe from Food.com.

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 large onions, chopped (2 cups)
1 tablespoon olive oil
5 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 lbs boneless lamb shoulder, cut into ½ inch cubes
3/4 cup dried apricot, chopped
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 green bell pepper, chopped coarse
1 clove garlic, minced
1 large tomatoes, peeled,seeded and chopped
1/4 cup blanched slivered almond, toasted
2 cups unconverted long-grain rice
1/4 cup raisins
Greek yogurt (or sour cream)

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, sauté one of the onions in the oil and 1 tblsp of the butter over moderate-high heat until browned lightly and transfer it with a slotted spoon to a bowl.
  • Brown the lamb in batches, transferring it to the bowl.
  • Return lamb mixture to skillet, add the apricots and stock, and simmer the mixture, covered, for 1 hour, or until lamb is very tender.
  • In another skillet, sauté the remaining onion, green pepper and the garlic in the remaining 4 tblsps butter over moderate-high heat until the onion begins to brown.
  • Stir in the almonds, tomato, raisins and the rice and cook over moderate heat, stirring, for 2 minutes, or until rice is slightly translucent.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste and 4 cups of water.
  • Bring to the boil and simmer, covered, 12 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
  • In a large casserole, spread 1/3 of the rice mixture in an even layer.
  • Spoon ½ the lamb mixture over rice.
  • Top with half the remaining rice, the lamb and what’s left of the rice (5 layers in all).
  • Cook, covered, in 350F (175C) oven until heated through, about 20 minutes.
  • Serve with yoghurt.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. This will make all the difference in the flavor of your dish. Look for fresh, organic ingredients whenever possible.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to make zardalu polo. Feel free to adjust the ingredients and cooking methods to suit your own taste.
  • Make sure the rice is cooked properly. The rice should be fluffy and tender, but not mushy. If you're not sure how to cook rice, there are many online resources that can help you.
  • Let the dish rest before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and develop.
  • Serve zardalu polo with your favorite toppings. Some popular toppings include yogurt, mint, and sumac.

Conclusion:

Zardalu polo is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a great way to use up leftover lamb or chicken, and it's also a perfect dish for entertaining. Whether you're a beginner cook or a seasoned pro, you're sure to love this classic Persian dish.

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