Lubia polo is a mix of green beans stew layered with white rice. We cook the stew and rice separately then combine them into one pot and after ⏳ an hour it will be ready!
p.s. I’m not sure how kids react to Lubia polo. It took me 20 years to change my mind! :))
Ingredients | 3-4 servings
- 450g/16oz green Beans
- 300g /10oz chopped Meat
- 1 big Onion
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 400g/14.1oz Basmati rice
- 3 big Tomatoes – chopped
- 1-2 tbsp Tomato paste
- a pinch of Nutmeg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Clarified butter
- Salt and Black pepper
Preparation
– Cut green beans in small chunks stir fry in a pan until their color is no longer bright green. Transfer the green beans to a bowl.
– Dice the onion and in the same pan you’ve cooked the green beans, stir fry the onions.
– When they become translucent add the turmeric, salt, and pepper. Continue to stir for some more seconds.
– Add meat, when it changes its color and releases the juice, add the tomato paste and the chopped tomatoes.
– Cover the pot with the lid ⏳ Cook for 20 mins on medium heat (add half cup of water if it’s too dry). The meat should cook completely.
[ ➡️ Meanwhile… prepare boiling water for white rice ]
– Add the green beans to the stew followed by cinnamon and nutmeg. Cook all together for another ⏳ 5 minutes and turn off the heat.
Preparing rice:
– Wash the rice until the color of the water is no longer opaque. Add salt to the boiling water (just the way you do for pasta).
– Add rice and wait till the water boils again.
– When the rice is doubled in size and starts to float on the surface of water it’s time to drain. (Do not rinse because we don’t want to lose the salt and aroma of rice)
Ensemble!
– In a nonstick pot with a thick bottom (to spread the heat evenly), add a layer of rice (2 cm/1inch) followed by a layer of green beans stew
➡️ Continue till both ingredients are finished.
– Place the pot on low heat, gently create holes in the mix with the bottom of a wooden spoon so the humidity comes out.
– Cover the lid with a clean kitchen cloth to absorb humidity.
Cook for 1 hour and it’s ready!
Notes
- (optional) I’ve peeled the fresh tomatoes and removed the seeds
- Using frozen green beans makes the cooking process quicker
- Serve lubia polo with Shirazi salad and yogurt.
Noosh e Jan (buon appetite! ☺️)