Sabzi in Persian language refers to green herbs and polow means rice. Sabzi polow is a Persian rice dish with freshly chopped herbs such as dill, parsley, coriander, .. . that is served with crispy fried fish (mahi) or Persian herbs frittata (kookoo sabzi).
Herbed rice with fish or kookoo sabzi is one of the two main dishes that are traditionally served for Persian new year (Nowruz). The other main dish for new year is called : Reshteh polow or rice with toasted noodles.
Ingredients for the rice
- 300 g rice
- 150 g mixed herbs ( parsley, coriander, dill, spring onions), finely chopped and washed
- 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
- 3 cloves of garlic , peeled and diced
- Salt to taste
- Thin Lavash bread or Tortilla bread for tahdig
- Vegetable oil and butter
Ingredients for fish
- 200 g haddock fish
- 4 Tbsp plain flour
- ½ Tsp turmeric
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp saffron water
- 4 Tbsp bread crumbs
- Salt- chilli powder to taste
- 1 lemon or lime
- Vegetable oil
Preparation of the rice
Wash the rice. In a bowl with salted water add rice and let the rice soak for about 1 hour.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Drain the soaked rice and stir it into the boiling water. Allow to cook the rice for 7 minutes. Add chopped herbs and let to cook for 3 minutes more. Then drain the rice and discarding the water.
Pour oil over the bottom of the pot . Place a sheet of thin bread on the bottom of pot. Spread half of the rice over the bread, add diced garlic and some ground cinnamon.
Then repeat with remaining of the rice. Finally place small pieces of butter top of the rice. Cover the pot with a lid and set over high heat for 2-3 minutes and then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Preparation of the fish
In a plate mix flour with turmeric, salt and chilli powder. Crack the egg in a bowl, add salt and chilli powder and beat together.
Coat both sides of the fish with flour, dip in the beaten egg and coat with bread crumb. Fry in the pan.Once the rice is ready let rest for 5 minutes and serve it with fish and sabzi koko ( herbed frittata).
Dish is ready. So so sooooo delicious , healthy and aromatic.
