This is a family standard that we serve at most parties. The recipe started out as my take on Persian Jeweled Rice but over the years it has developed into something less Persian and more fluid. The herbs I use depend on the market. Sometimes I include saffron, sometimes not. If I cannot get z'resh (dried barberries) I will use currants. And because fava is so plentiful here, I have swapped fava for limas. Anyway you choose to make it, it is very satisfying and a wonderful side for lentils, grilled salmon, lamb roast or curry.
BT's Rice With Potato and Fresh Fava
Ingredients:
2 cups (450 grams) basmati rice or persian rice
1 cup (150 grams) fresh fava beans
2 medium low starch potatoes
1 medium bunch dill (parsley or cilantro can be substituted)
1/4 cup z'resh (optional)
4 threads saffron (optional)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 cups (960 m) boiled filtered water
Directions:
Soak rice in cold water for 1/2 hour
Pour rice into sieve and rinse thoroughly
Cook fava beans. Remove beans from outer casing. Reserve
Place 1/3 oil in saucepan and turn burner to medium
When oil is hot, add washed rice and cook for 1 minute
Add salt
Pour boiling water over rice, cover and reduce the heat to low
Cook 7 minutes
Remove lid on rice - it will be parboiled
Place paper towel or clean kitchen towel over pot and return lid
Leave rice rest for 10 minutes until the water is absorbed by the towel and the rice is fluffy
While rice is resting, wash and peel potatoes. Slice in rounds
Add tiny bit of water to saffron threads
Wash z'resh and put aside
Add the rest of oil to a cast iron frying pan and turn heat on medium high
When oil is hot, lay potatoes in single layer in pan
Fry until potatoes begin to brown
Reduce heat to low
Without moving potatoes, pour rice into pan
Finely chop herbs and add to rice
Add z'resh (if using)
If using saffron, take a few spoonfuls of rice from pan and mix with saffron (with water)
Add saffroned rice
Using spatula, lift potatoes from bottom of pan and toss whole mixture
Turn rice into a serving bowl
Add fava and toss
Enjoy! !בתיאבון
Serve with labne sauce (listed separately)
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