Zereshk Polo

Ingredients

• •2 cups basmati rice
• •1/2 cup dried barberries
• •3 tablespoons butter-flavored oil or neutral oil
• •2 tablespoons sugar
• •1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, bloomed in hot water
• •1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Rinse and soak the rice briefly, then parboil it in salted water until partly tender; drain.

2. 2

   Steam the rice in a covered pot over low heat until fluffy.

3. 3

   Rinse the barberries quickly and pat them dry.

4. 4

   Heat the oil in a small pan, add the barberries and sugar, and sauté gently for 1 to 2 minutes until the berries plump.

5. 5

   Mix a portion of the rice with the saffron water to color it.

6. 6

   Pile the rice on a platter and top or layer with the saffron rice and sweet-tart barberries.

7. 7

   Serve as a side or with roasted chicken.