Loobia Polo is a delicious rice dish packed with ethnic flavors. It is simply a combination of rice, ground beef, green beans, tomato paste, onions, and various spices layered within the basmati rice. The ingredients and spices are cooked together as one in order to marry the flavors together. Most recipes focus on delivering one single flavor, whether it is sweet, sour, spicy, or savory. Unlike other dishes, Persian cuisine includes warm and flavorful spices with both sweet and savory flavors. All the spices play a vital role in creating the loobia polo dish, however, saffron is the most important ingredient. This luxurious ingredient is the most expensive spice in the world and is commonly used in rice dishes due to its color, flavor, and aroma. 90% of the world’s saffron production originates in Iran and is then exported. There are many health benefits in saffron such as improving respiratory health, protecting against cancers, reducing stress, assisting in mental retention while aging, enhancing skin, and stimulating digestion. Not only does saffron provide many benefits, but turmeric is another beneficial spice from the Middle East. This ingredient is prominently used in recipes involving meat and sometimes even drinks like teas and lattes. Turmeric is loaded with an anti-inflammatory compound called curcumin and helps increase the antioxidant capacity in the body. Just like saffron, this spice is famous for its sharp flavor and bright golden color. Overall this full meal includes dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates ideal for digestion, and an adequate amount of protein. Some may consider this combination of ingredients as unusual, however, this rice dish is a popular choice for Iranians due to the balance of nutritional ingredients and intricate preparation of basmati rice. If you would like to create this one-of-a-kind adventurous combination, your taste buds are in for a treat. This comforting rice dish is absolutely worth trying! Loobia Polo (Beef and Green Bean Rice): Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time:1 hour Serves: 4-6 Ingredients: 2 cups of basmati rice, rinsed 1 onion, chopped 1 pound of ground beef 1 pound of green beans, cut into ½ inch pieces 4-5 tablespoons of tomato paste 1 tomato, diced ½ teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon saffron, dissolved in 1/3 cup of hot water 1 teaspoon turmeric Salt & Pepper to taste Red Crushed Pepper (optional) Instructions: Boil water and salt in a large non-stick pot over medium-high heat. Add rice to boiling water and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the rice is soft on the outside and hard in the middle. Drain the rice in a colander and rinse with cold water then set aside. Heat oil in a frypan over medium heat. Add onions and cook until golden brown. Add ground beef and break up pieces with spatula. Cook thoroughly until browned. Add all spices: cinnamon, saffron, turmeric, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper (optional). Don’t by shy with the spices. Add green beans and tomatoes to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste to the pan and let the mixture cook on medium heat for another 15 minutes. Place the large non-stick pot back on the stove on medium-high heat. Combine the green bean and meat mixture within several alternating layers of basmati rice. Let mixture cook for 10 minutes on medium heat. Then simmer on low heat for 30 minutes while steam forms. Turn heat off and mix layers together. Ready to serve! Cooking Tips: Rinse rice before cooking in order to remove excess starch and debris If you want to save time, try cooking your rice in a rice cooker For a healthy alternative, use brown rice instead of white rice This dish is freezer friendly, so feel free to store leftovers in a freezer friendly Tupper-ware for the future Did you try making this recipe? How did you like it? Tell us on our Facebook page or Instagram account.
