Sabzi Polo (Persian herbed rice)

Sabzi polo (Persian herbed rice) is one of the most cooked traditional Persian dishes that I used to eat and love before I went vegan. 

 This dish is widely served during special occasions and celebrations, such as Nowruz, which as you are aware is the Persian new year.

Sabzi polo is highly regarded in our cuisine for its aromatic flavors and vibrant green color which is the result of using fresh herbs such as parsley, dill, and coriander.

By the way ‘Sabzi’ means herb in Farsi, and ‘polo’ refers to rice. This dish is often served with fish, so I replace it with ‘tofish’ which is a fish made from tofu.

So first, let’s talk about the rice and how it is done in Persian cuisine, since we are very particular when it comes to making rice, It has to be perfect!

What we need for the Sabzi polo (Persian herbed rice)

– 2 cups of Basmati rice 

– Fresh herbs (coriander, dill, parsley and spring onion) one bunch each

– 5-6 cloves of garlic 

– 1/2 tsp Saffron (optional)

-2 tsp sea salt

-1/4 cup vegetable oil

Instructions:

Rinse the rice with cold water until the water is clear. Then soak it in a bowl of cold water with a tablespoon of salt for half an hour.

Thoroughly wash the herbs, let them dry and chop them finely. You can use a knife or a food processor to chop the herbs. Use garlic press to crush the garlic cloves and add them to the herbs.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and drain the soaked rice and add it to the boiling water. Cook the rice for about 7 to 10 minutes or until it is slightly tender, please make sure not to overcook the rice. Drain it and set it aside.

Now, mix the partially cooked rice with the herbs and garlic and mix gently.

If you will use saffron, dissolve it in a tablespoon of hot water (some also use the ice cube method, which works really well too) and drizzle it over the rice. Saffron gives the most beautiful golden color and a subtle flavor.

In a large non-stick pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat and add the rice mix. You can also add small pieces of vegan butter on top for extra flavour. Cover the pot with a lid and cook the rice over low heat for about 30-40 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and the flavors have melded together.

What is tofish?

Tofish is a cruelty-free alternative for fish. It’s made out of tofu with (flavoured with nori sheet), which adds a lovely algae taste. 

Ingredients for tofish

– 2 firm tofu

– 3-4 garlic 

– 1 tbsp ginger 

– 3 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil

– 3 tbsp soy sauce

– 2 tbsp vegan fish sauce (optional)

– 3 tbsp lemon juice 

– 1 tbsp chilli sauce or chilli flakes

– 2 tsp salt 

– Nori sheets (optional) 

– Brown sugar on sprinkle on top

Instructions:

Press the tofu to remove excess moisture and prepare the marinade. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce and lemon juice. Grated ginger, garlic and olive oil and everything else in the recipe.

If you are going to add nori sheet, cut them into small pieces and grind it into a powder using a blender or a food processor and mix it in thoroughly. This will give the tofish a seafood-like flavor.

The tofish should ideally be marinated for few hours, but at least leave it in the fridge for 2-3 hours. Cut them into you favourite shape and cook it in the oven on 180°C for one hour or until it becomes golden and crispy and enjoy it with the rice.