باقالی پلو با ماهیچه

Name: باقالی پلو با ماهیچه
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 180 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Iranian/Persian
Ingredients: 3 cups basmati rice, soaked; 4 lamb shanks; 2 cups frozen fava beans (or fresh, shelled); 1 large bunch fresh dill, chopped; 1 large onion, sliced; 1/2 tsp saffron, bloomed; 1 tsp turmeric; 3 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp oil; Salt and pepper; Cinnamon stick

باقالی پلو با ماهیچه (bah-GHAH-lee po-LOW bah mah-HEE-cheh)

Fava Bean Dill Rice with Lamb Shank

⏱ Prep Time 30 min

📈 Difficulty Hard

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 642 kcal

Fragrant dill and fava bean rice with a golden tahdig crust, paired with meltingly tender braised lamb shanks in a saffron-turmeric broth.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 42.0g

Carbs 60.0g

Fat 26.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

large non-stick pot separate braising pot colander

Presentation Guide

Vessel: large serving platter

Garnishes: saffron rice, dill sprigs

Accompaniments: shirazi salad, yogurt

Ingredients

3 cups basmati rice, soaked
4 lamb shanks
2 cups frozen fava beans (or fresh, shelled)
1 large bunch fresh dill, chopped
1 large onion, sliced
1/2 tsp saffron, bloomed
1 tsp turmeric
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp oil
Salt and pepper
Cinnamon stick

Instructions

1
Season lamb shanks with turmeric, salt, pepper. Brown in oil. Add onion, cinnamon, and water to cover. Braise 2.5 hours until falling off the bone.
2
Parboil rice until just al dente. Drain.
3
Mix rice with chopped dill and fava beans.
4
Layer rice mixture in buttered pot with saffron water. Cover tightly, steam on low 45 min.
5
Serve rice with crispy tahdig, lamb shanks alongside with reduced braising liquid.

💡

Did You Know?

Baghali polo is the quintessential Nowruz dish — the green dill and fava beans symbolize spring renewal and rebirth.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large non-stick pot
separate braising pot
colander

Garnishing

saffron rice, dill sprigs

Accompaniments

shirazi salad, yogurt

The Story Behind باقالی پلو با ماهیچه

This dish celebrates the Persian reverence for fresh herbs and seasonal ingredients. Fava beans, one of the earliest cultivated crops on the Iranian plateau, pair with abundant dill in a combination documented in medieval Persian cookbooks. The lamb shank braising technique reflects the pastoral traditions of Iran's western provinces.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed nowruz (persian new year), friday lunch 📜 Origins: Medieval Persian era

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!