Zardalu Polo Persian Lamb And Apricot Pilaf Recipes

ZARDALU POLO - PERSIAN LAMB AND APRICOT PILAF

Steps:

• Heat butter in heavy pan and fry onion until golden.
• Add meat and brown on all sides.
• Season to taste with salt, pepper, turmeric and cinnamon.
• Mix in raisins and apricots.
• Add water (about 3/4 cup) to cover.
• Cover and simmer over very low heat 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours or until meat is very tender.
• Stir occasionally to prevent scorching, adding water if necessary.
• Texture should be thick but pourable.
• Boil 4 cups water, add 1/2 teaspoon salt and rice.
• Bring to boil again and boil 2 minutes, then reduce heat, cover pan and cook over low heat 10 to 15 minutes or until almost tender.
• Fluff with fork.
• Arrange rice and stew in alternate layers in heavy saucepan, beginning and ending with layers of rice.
• Set over very low heat, stretch clean cloth over pot and place cover over cloth.
• Steam 20 minutes, or until rice is tender.

LAMB AND APRICOT PILAF

Steps:

• In a large skillet, sauté one of the onions in the oil and 1 tblsp of the butter over moderate-high heat until browned lightly and transfer it with a slotted spoon to a bowl.
• Brown the lamb in batches, transferring it to the bowl.
• Return lamb mixture to skillet, add the apricots and stock, and simmer the mixture, covered, for 1 hour, or until lamb is very tender.
• In another skillet, sauté the remaining onion, green pepper and the garlic in the remaining 4 tblsps butter over moderate-high heat until the onion begins to brown.
• Stir in the almonds, tomato, raisins and the rice and cook over moderate heat, stirring, for 2 minutes, or until rice is slightly translucent.
• Add salt and pepper to taste and 4 cups of water.
• Bring to the boil and simmer, covered, 12 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
• In a large casserole, spread 1/3 of the rice mixture in an even layer.
• Spoon ½ the lamb mixture over rice.
• Top with half the remaining rice, the lamb and what’s left of the rice (5 layers in all).
• Cook, covered, in 350F (175C) oven until heated through, about 20 minutes.
• Serve with yoghurt.

LAMB AND RICE PILAF WITH DRIED APRICOTS AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add lamb, carrot and halved onion; sauté until lamb browns, about 10 minutes. Add 8 cups water, quartered tomato, and bay leaf. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and boil gently, uncovered, until liquid is reduced to 4 cups, turning lamb often, about 45 minutes. Transfer lamb to cutting board; cool slightly. Strain lamb cooking liquid into bowl; spoon off any fat from surface. Discard lamb bone and vegetables. Cut lamb into 1-inch pieces.
• Combine chopped onion and remaining 1 teaspoon oil in same pot. Sauté over medium-high heat until onion is golden, about 4 minutes. Add rice, apricots, and garlic; stir 1 minute. Stir in reserved lamb cooking liquid, lamb pieces, and chopped tomato. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmr until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl; sprinkle with cilantro and pine nuts and serve.