She Strengthens

Discover the Flavors of Persian Cuisine

When it comes to exploring the rich culinary traditions of Iran, there’s no better guide than renowned chef Najmieh Batmanglij. In her book, New Food of Life, she shares the secrets of Persian cooking, including a mouthwatering recipe for a classic dish that’s sure to delight.

Saffron-Infused Chicken and Rice

This show-stopping recipe serves 6 and is surprisingly easy to prepare. The key to its success lies in the quality of its ingredients, so be sure to choose threads of saffron rather than powder, which can be adulterated with turmeric. You’ll also need sour cherry syrup, which can be found online.

Ingredients:

• 2 Cornish game hens or 1 frying chicken (about 3 pounds total)
• 2 large peeled onions
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground saffron dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water
• 3 8-ounce jars of pitted sour or morello cherries in light syrup (or 4 cups dried pitted sour cherries)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup clarified butter (ghee) or oil
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 cups long-grain basmati rice
• 1 piece lavash bread
• 1 tablespoon slivered almonds, for garnish
• 2 tablespoons slivered pistachios, for garnish
• 2 tablespoons melted butter, for garnish
• 1/2 cup cherry syrup, for garnish

Preparing the Dish

Begin by stuffing the hens with whole onions and a sprinkle of salt. Add a few drops of saffron water and cook in a covered baking dish in a 350°F oven for 2 hours.

Next, drain the cherries and combine them with sugar in a saucepan. Cook over high heat for 35 minutes, then strain the cherries and save the syrup. Add butter and cinnamon to the cherries and set aside.

Layering the Rice and Cherries

Clean and wash the rice five times in warm water, then bring 8 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil in a large, non-stick pot. Pour in the rice and boil briskly for 6-10 minutes, gently stirring twice to loosen grains stuck together. Drain and rinse with lukewarm water.

In the same pot, create a layer of lavash bread, then add 4 tablespoons of oil, 1/2 cup of water, and 1 tablespoon of saffron water. This will help form a golden crust (tah dig) on the bottom of the pot.

Assembling the Pyramid

Place 2 spatulas of rice in the pot, followed by 1 spatula of cherries. Repeat this process, alternating layers of rice and cherries in the shape of a pyramid. Cover and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, then pour the saffron water over the pyramid and reduce the heat.

Finishing Touches

Cover the pot with a clean dish towel or paper towels and cook for an additional 40 minutes over low heat. Remove the lid and pour a mixture of cherry syrup and melted butter over the rice. Cook for another 10 minutes, then remove the pot from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

Garnish and Serve

Gently place the rice on a platter, mounding it in the shape of a pyramid. Garnish with saffron rice, cherries, almonds, and pistachios. Pour hot cherry syrup and melted butter over the rice pyramid, then detach the crust from the bottom of the pot and serve on the side.

Variation: Meatballs Instead of Chicken

For a twist on this recipe, substitute meatballs for the chicken. Simply combine 1 pound of ground meat with a grated onion, then add salt and pepper and knead into tiny balls. Brown in a skillet with oil, then add sour cherry syrup and set aside. Add the meatballs to the pot along with the cherries and rice, following the same layering process as before.

Tips and Variations

When using fresh or frozen sour cherries, add 1/2 cup of sugar to each pound of cherries. Cook over high heat for 35 minutes, then drain. If using dried sour cherries, add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 cup of sour cherry syrup, cooking over medium heat for 5 minutes. For sour cherries in light syrup, drain and discard the syrup, then add 1 cup of sugar and boil over medium heat for 30 minutes. For sour cherries in heavy syrup, do not add sugar and cook the cherries without diluting the syrup.

Nush-e Jan!

With these simple steps and a few key ingredients, you’ll be able to create a stunning Persian-inspired dish that’s sure to impress your friends and family. So go ahead, give it a try, and experience the rich flavors of Iran!