Baghali Polo is a traditional Persian rice dish made with fava beans. Sabzi Polo is a separate Persian rice dish made with various herbs. Both are traditionally served with a side of meat. Sabzi Polo is commonly served with fish and is a classic dish to celebrate NowRooz (Persian New Year).
We have combined these two traditional Persian dishes to create a flavorful dish, which can be paired nicely with our plant-based Joojeh Kabob recipe. Fava beans are a source of iron, thiamin, vitamin K, vitamin B-6, potassium, selenium, zinc, and magnesium. I do not know what all that means, but I know it is healthy to eat fava beans! 🙂
I personally love this rice with a simple Persian salad originating from Shiraz called “Salad-e-Shirazi” – 2 tomatoes diced, 1 cucumber diced, 1/4 small red onion diced, 2 Tbsp. lime juice, 1 Tbsp. olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
My kids also love to load their rice with plant-based yogurt; our favorite is Kite Hill Plain Yogurt, which is made from almonds.
Enjoy, and if you like our posts, please be sure to subscribe or follow us on Instagram @plant_basedpersian. I have decided to end my posts with an inspirational quote, because the world needs more hope and positivity.
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” – Napoleon Hill
Ingredients
- 3 cups Basmati rice
- 3 Tbsp. salt
- 14 oz package frozen fava beans*
- 3 1/2 Tbsp. cooking oil (divided)
- 1 small yellow onion julienned
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp. turmeric
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 6 Tbsp. dried dill
- 6 Tbsp. dry Sabzi Polo mix**
*Fava beans can be difficult to find. My mother usually goes to a Persian or Asian speciality store to buy fava beans. If not accessible, you could also replace it with lima beans.
** Dry Sabzi Polo mix can be found at Persian, Afghan or other specialty stores. I have even found it on Amazon.
Directions
- Prepare Persian Rice
- Wash over the rice by placing the rice in a large bowl and covering with water. Move the rice with your hand to clean the rice. Pour off the water. Repeat the process 3-4 times until the rice is clean.
- Fill a large stock pot with water. Add 3 Tbsp. salt. Cover and bring to a boil on high heat. Add rice to the boiling water. Reduce heat to medium and cook, uncovered, for 8 minutes.
- Add the frozen bag of fava beans to the rice. Cook for 2 more minutes.
- Drain the rice and fava beans. Place in a large bowl.
- Prepare Garlic/Onion Mixture
- Add 2 Tbsp. oil to a medium sauté pan on medium heat.
- Add the onion and sauté for 5-6 min until onions are golden.
- Add the garlic and sauté another 2 minutes.
- Add turmeric and black pepper and sauté 1 min more.
- Combine Persian Rice and Garlic/Onion Mixture and Herbs
- Add the Garlic/Onion mixture to the rice and fava beans. Mix well.
- Add dry Sabzi Polo mix and dill. Mix well.
- Add 1 Tbsp. water, 1 Tbsp. oil and a dash of turmeric to bottom of large rice cooker (or large non-stick pot with lid). Add rice mixture. Add 1/2 Tbsp. oil on top of the rice.
- Cover and cook 45 minutes in the rice cooker (or 45 minutes in a non-stick pot on medium heat).
- Enjoy! Noosh-e-Jan!
SERVES 4-5 people
