Iranian Rice Cookies Recipes

PERSIAN RICE

Steps:

• Bring water and kosher salt to a boil in a pot; add rice and cook, stirring, for exactly 7 minutes. Drain.
• Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Cover bottom of pot with 1 layer of potato slices. Sprinkle cumin and salt over potatoes. Cook until potatoes are sizzling, 2 to 3 minutes; top potatoes with rice to form an even layer. Reduce heat to low and place butter slices over rice.
• Top pot with a layer of clean paper towels and place lid over towels. Steam until rice is fluffy, about 45 minutes.
• Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle. Mix crushed saffron with 1 1/2 tablespoons hot water in a large bowl. Add a couple spoonfuls of rice to saffron mixture and stir until rice is yellow.
• Spoon remaining rice into a serving bowl, top with saffron rice, and line edges of bowl with potatoes. Garnish with parsley.

IRANIAN RICE COOKIES (NAN-E BERENJI)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a fine sieve with four layers of cheesecloth and set over a small liquid measuring cup. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until beginning to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until foamy, stirring occasionally, until butter turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, and milk solids separate into brown specks that sink to bottom, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and strain through prepared sieve, leaving solids behind. Set aside to cool slightly.
• In another small saucepan over medium heat, stir together sugar and 2 tablespoons water until sugar has dissolved, then transfer to a large bowl. Let cool slightly, then add rose water and stir to combine.
• Add yolk to sugar mixture and whisk until light and slightly thickened. Continue whisking and slowly drizzle in strained brown butter until thick and fully incorporated. In a medium bowl, combine flours, cardamom, and salt. Add to brown butter mixture and stir until thoroughly incorporated.
• Roll dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 1 inch apart. Imprint each ball with the grooved side of a meat mallet, pressing to 1/4 inch thick. Dust mallet with rice flour as needed to prevent sticking. Bake, rotating halfway through, until edges of cookies just turn light golden, about 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

IRANIAN RICE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a fine-mesh sieve with 4 layers of cheesecloth; set over a small liquid measuring cup. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until beginning to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until foamy, stirring occasionally, until butter turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, and milk solids separate into brown specks that sink to bottom, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and strain butter through prepared sieve, leaving solids behind. Let cool slightly.
• In another small saucepan over medium heat, stir together sugar and 2 tablespoons water until sugar has dissolved; transfer to a large bowl. Let cool slightly. Add rose water and stir to combine.
• Add egg yolk to sugar mixture; whisk until light and slightly thickened. Continue whisking and drizzle in strained brown butter until thick and incorporated. In a medium bowl, whisk together both flours, the cardamom, and salt. Add to brown butter mixture and stir until incorporated.
• Roll or scoop dough into 11/2‑inch balls and place about 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Imprint each ball with the grooved side of a meat mallet, pressing to 1/4 inch thick. Dust mallet with rice flour as needed to prevent sticking. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges of cookies just turn light golden, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely. (Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.)

PERSIAN RICE COOKIES (NAAN BERENJI)

Steps:

• Mix together the canola oil and white sugar.
• Beat eggs and add along with the rose water to the sugar mixture.
• Add the white rice flour, baking powder and cardamom and blend into a thick dough.
• Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350F/180°C Line a cookie sheet with baking paper or oil lightly.
• Take a spoonful of dough the size of a walnut, roll into a ball between your palms, flatten slightly, and place on the cookie sheet. Repeat, leaving about an inch between cookies.
• Sprinkle the ground pistachios on top or poppy seeds if using.
• Place cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-22 minutes, or until firm and cracked on top. They should still be quite white but have a slight golden bottom.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool before removing from the paper, and be careful these cookies crumble very easily.
• Store in an airtight container until serving.