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Reshteh polo (toasted vermicelli rice)

A mound of reshteh polow (toasted vermicelli rice) on a colourful plate

Reshteh polo (toasted vermicelli rice)

Name: Reshteh polo (toasted vermicelli rice)
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 47 min
Yield: Serves 4-6
Cuisine: Persian
Ingredients: 3 tbsp olive or vegetable oil; 1 large brown onion finely chopped; 150g egg vermicelli broken into 2cm long pieces (not rice vermicelli); 75g butter roughly cut into cubes; 350g basmati rice

Sabrina Ghayour

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Serves 4-6

Easy

Prep: 2 mins

Cook: 45 mins

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Enjoy this Persian-inspired toasted egg vermicelli rice as part of a family feast. It's ideal for celebrating the Iranian New Year

Vegetarian

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Ingredients

Nutrition

Units:

MetricUS

3 tbsp olive or vegetable oil
1 large brown onion

finely chopped
150g egg vermicelli

broken into 2cm long pieces (not rice vermicelli)
75g butter

roughly cut into cubes
350g basmati rice

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Nutrition: Per serving (6)

kcal447
fat18g
saturates8g
carbs62g
sugars3g
fibre3g
protein9g
salt0.56g

Method

step 1

Heat the oil in a medium-sized, preferably non-stick saucepan with a lid, over a medium heat. Add the onions and cook for around 8 mins, until softened, then add the vermicelli and turn to coat in the oil. Tip in the butter and stir until melted. At this point you want the butter to help toast the vermicelli to a lovely even brown colour without burning the butter or the vermicelli.
step 2

Once the vermicelli is browned (not just golden) add the rice, some salt and pepper, and mix well together until evenly combined. Pour over 800ml cold water, cover with a lid and cook on a medium heat (low if using gas) and cook for 30 mins, until the rice on top is cooked. Fluff up with a fork and serve. It's desirable to have 'tahdig', which is Persian for a crunchy rice crust that you can serve in pieces atop the rice.

Recipe tip

When you add the butter, try to get it gently bubbling and foaming.

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