This vegan Persian Adas Polo with Tofu recipe is a plant-based version of the traditional Persian lentil rice dish, replacing meat with seasoned, baked tofu crumbles.

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Why You’ll Love Adas Polo with Tofu

• Adas Polo is a Persian lentil rice dish. While Adas Polo is traditionally made with meat, lentils are a nutritional powerhouse, full of fiber and protein, and this recipe can easily be vegetarian/vegan.
• This Adas Polo recipe uses seasoned, baked tofu crumbles instead of meat, and it is so easy and delicious.
• Tofu is a nutritious, healthy, whole food high in protein. Tofu will take on the flavors of how it is seasoned or marinated, and it can be absolutely delicious. I never thought I would enjoy tofu so much, but it really has become a staple in all my cooking.

Ingredient/Equipment Notes

To make this delicious vegan Adas Polo with Tofu, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements are in the recipe card below):

• 15 oz package extra-firm tofu (pressed for 20 minutes to remove excess liquid)
• curry powder
• cumin powder
• turmeric
• pepper
• salt
• oil
• brown lentils (soaked for 2-3 hours)
• medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• garlic cloves minced
• turmeric
• cinnamon
• cumin
• salt
• Brewed Saffron – See the prior blog post on how to bloom saffron threads.
• raisins/dates (optional)
• Basmati rice
• Russet potato, thinly sliced

You will also need the following equipment:

• Persian rice cooker or large non-stick pot with a tight-fitting lid. I like this Persian rice cooker on Amazon.
• Tofu press (optional) – I use this tofu press.
• Baking sheet

How to Make Adas Polo with Tofu

Prepare Tofu Crumbles:

• Pre-heat oven to 375 F.
• Press the tofu for 20 minutes to remove excess liquid.
• Combine the spices, salt, pepper and oil for the tofu crumble seasoning
• Add the tofu and smash with fork to create crumbles
• Add to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes – stirring halfway through cooking time.

Make Lentil Mixture:

• In a medium pot, add 3 cups of water and the lentils and cook on medium heat for 10-15 minutes until tender (do not over cook). Drain and set it aside.
• Add 1.5 Tbsp. oil to a large pan on medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes.
• Add garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes.
• Add the spices, salt, and brewed saffron for the lentil mixture and sauté for another 1-2 minutes.
• Add the cooked lentils and baked tofu crumbles. Add the raisins/dates if using. Combine well, and sauté for another 1-2 minutes.

Cook Basmati Rice:

• Wash the rice. To wash the rice, place the rice in a large bowl and cover with water. Move the rice with your hand to loosen particles. Pour off the water. Repeat the process 3-4 times until the rice is clean.
• Fill a large pot with water (3/4 full), add 1 Tbsp. salt, cover and bring to a boil.
• Add rice to boiling water, and cook on medium heat, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Drain the rice.

Combine Basmati Rice and the Lentil Mixture:

• Add 1 Tbsp. oil, 1 Tbsp. brewed saffron, and 1/4 tsp. turmeric to the bottom of a large Persian rice cooker or a non-stick pot (with a lid).
• Place potato slices at the bottom of the rice cooker or pot.
• Add a layer of Basmati rice to the bottom of the rice cooker or pot (cover the potatoes completely). Then add a layer of the Lentil Mixture. Repeat the layering until all the Basmati rice and the Lentil Mixture are used (make sure to end with Basmati rice as the top layer)
• Cover and cook for 50-60 minutes in the rice cooker. (If cooking in a non-stick pot, cook for 50-60 minutes on medium/low heat).
• Before serving, mix the Basmati rice and the Lentil Mixture in the pot until well blended.

Various Options to Serve Adas Polo without Meat

Adas Polo is traditionally served with meat, but it can easily be prepared as vegetarian or vegan.

• The simple approach is to leave the meat out of a traditional recipe. You can add more lentils or more of the raisins and even dates to add more substance to the dish.
• This Adas Polo with Tofu recipe swapped the meat for seasoned and baked tofu crumbles. Instead of baking the tofu, you could also season and fry the tofu.
• Moreover, you could swap the meat for a plant-based meat alternative. You can see our prior recipe for vegan Adas Polo using a plant-based meat alternative.

Did you make this recipe? Take a picture and tag us on Instagram @plant_basedpersian or share it on Pinterest!

“The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” Charles Darwin

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