Recipe · Serves 4

Adas Polo with Raisins – A Persian Rice Dish

Adas Polo: a hearty rice dish with lentils and raisins. Simple, filling and full of flavour.

This classic Persian dish brings rice, lentils and raisins together, and sometimes meat too. In fact, it is easy to make, yet rich in taste. So it suits any day, from a quick meal at home to a big feast.

Adas Polo – Persian rice with lentils and raisins

Ingredients for Adas Polo (serves 4)

For the rice

  • 3 cups basmati rice
  • 1 cup green lentils (rinsed)
  • Salt

For the topping

  • 2 large onions (sliced)
  • 1 cup raisins (rinsed)
  • 2 tbsp sugar (optional, to taste)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp saffron threads (dissolved in hot water)
  • Salt, pepper and turmeric to taste
  • Vegetable oil

Optional (with meat)

  • 300 g minced meat (beef or lamb)
  • Salt, pepper and turmeric

Santoor tips for perfect lentil rice

  • Saffron: above all, good saffron gives the rice a lovely smell and a deep gold colour.
  • Onions: golden fried onions also add a sweet note.
  • Sides: for example, serve the rice with yoghurt, pickles (torshi) or fresh herbs.

Step-by-step method

  1. Cook the rice and lentils

    First, rinse the rice well. Soak it for 30 minutes in lightly salted water. Meanwhile, cook the lentils in plenty of water with a pinch of salt until just soft. Then drain them. Next, bring a large pot of water to the boil. Boil the rice for 5–7 minutes until half done. Finally, drain it and rinse with cold water.

  2. Fry the onions and raisins

    Now heat a little oil in a pan and fry the sliced onions until golden. Then add the raisins, sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of turmeric. Fry for a minute and set aside.

  3. Optional: cook the meat

    Next, brown the minced meat in a little oil. Afterwards, season with salt, pepper and turmeric.

  4. Layer the rice

    Grease the base of the pot with oil. For a crisp crust (tahdig), lay thin slices of potato or a thin layer of rice on the base. After that, add rice, lentils and the onion and raisin mix in turns (and meat, if you like). Repeat until all is used up. Finally, pour the saffron water over the top.

  5. Steam

    Now wrap the lid in a tea towel, cover the pot and steam the rice on low heat for 30–40 minutes.

  6. Serve

    At last, spoon the rice onto a large plate. Then top it with the onion and raisin mix and the meat, if you made it.

Why Adas Polo at Santoor?

At Santoor, we cook this dish with love and the best food we can find. In short, we want you to enjoy a meal that is true to its roots, fresh and full of taste. Of course, our kitchen is 100% halal.

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