Thursday, May 24, 2012

Persian Rice Meatballs (Koofteh Berenji)




Ingredients:
2 Pounds of lean ground beef
2 cups of rice (Basmati or Jasmin) uncooked or half cooked
1 large onion finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon dill weed
1 fistful of small raisins
1 teaspoon of turmeric
1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
1.5 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of pepper (white or black)
1/2 can of tiny chopped tomatoes

How to make it:
Step one: Mix all the ingredients and make gulf or tennis ball size meatballs.

Step 2: Make the sauce or liquid:
In a not too deep pot saute' chopped onions in olive oil and add the other half of the chopped tomatoes and add 2 cups of water. Let come to boil
Step 3: Drop the meatball in the liquid in the pot very gently. 
Leave the pot uncover and bring the heat to medium low. Turn the meatballs with a serving spoon so the top can swim in the liquid too and cooks.
(Add some lemon juice if you like this sweet and sour)
Let the meatballs cook for 20-25 minutes then serve in a bowl with some of the juice.

Enjoy!





 



Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Dill Rice (Shevid-Polo)






Ingredients:

4 cups of basmati rice
1 can of black-eyed peas
3 tablespoon of dried dill-weed
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
2 table spoon of salt
2 tablespoon of corn oil or olive oil

How to make it

Bring water to boil in a pot and add salt
 Add turmeric to the rice in the pot
Wash the rice in a bowl and drain
Add the rice to the boiling water and cook for 6-8 minutes (depending on the age of the rice)
Add the black eyed beans and dill weed
Stir slowly without breaking the rice grains
Drain the water
In a pot add the corn oil and let heat for 1 minute
Add the rice mix in the pot
Cover and leave on high heat for 1 minute
Reduce the heat and let the rice steam for 10-15 minutes
Serve with your choice of meat or by itself with a small bowl of yogurt on the side
You may add some saute' caramelized onions as topping

Enjoy!