Persian Dirty Rice! (Gheymeh Polo)

Ingridiants:

(For 4-6 plates)

3 cups Basmati rice

1/2 cup yellow split pease

(Chana dal type that won't mash quickly is better)

1 Pound lean ground beef

1 can of tomatoes; petite cut

1 large onion chopped

2 table spoon of olive oil 

2 cups frozen hash brown (or shredded/cubed fresh) potatoes

1 teaspoon turmeric powder 

1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

1 tablespoon salt (for making the rice)

1 teaspoon salt (for the meat mixture)

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 tea spoon dried lime or lemon powder (optional)

How to make it:

In a large pot bring water to boil and add 2 tablespoon salt

Let the rice boil for about 7 minutes then drain the water and leave the rice aside

Meanwhile cook the spit peas in water until tender but not mashed

in a pan saute' the chopped onions  the add turmeric powder

Add the ground beef

Stir until the meat is browned (make sure the beef won't get lumpy)

Add salt, pepper, cinnamon (and lemon powder if you have any)

Add the tomatoes, stir and cook for 5-6 minutes

Saute' the hash brown potatoes (or tiny cubed potatoes fried)

Add the potatoes to the meat mixture & mix

Add the cooked spit peas to the rice & mix

In a large non-stick pot add a bit of oil and heat up

Add one layer of plain cooked rice & peas

Top with some of the meat mixture

Add more plain rice & peas and top with meat mixture 

Repeat until the last layer is on the top is the meat mixture

Increase the heat and put cover on the top the pot and keep tight

wait 45 seconds for the steam to accumulate then turn the heat to low

Steam the rice mixture for 25-35 minutes

With a long grilling fork gently mix and fluff up the layer of the rice 

Serve with plain yogurt and/or picked vegetables(Torshi)

Enjoy!

 

A cold yogurt drink is good with this dish