Baghali Polo ba Mahiche (5 Delicious Variations Recipe)

Introduction: The Elegance of Baghali Polo ba Mahiche

Baghali Polo ba Mahiche is one of Iran’s most beloved and luxurious dishes. It’s a symphony of flavors fragrant dill-infused rice, buttery fava beans, and succulent lamb shanks slow-cooked to perfection. This Persian masterpiece graces weddings, Nowruz gatherings, and weekend feasts alike. But did you know there are delicious regional and creative twists on this classic?

This article walks you through five must-try variations of Baghali Polo ba Mahiche that celebrate tradition while adding exciting flavors.

Few dishes rival the elegance of Baghali Polo ba Mahiche. Translating to “fava bean rice with lamb shank,” it’s the kind of meal that turns an ordinary evening into a celebration. Think of it as Persian comfort food dressed in royal robes.

A Quick Recap: What is Baghali Polo ba Mahiche?

Before we dive into the tasty variations, let’s refresh what this dish is all about.

Core Ingredients

• Basmati rice
• Fresh or frozen fava beans (baghali)
• Dill (fresh or dried)
• Lamb shanks
• Saffron, garlic, onion, turmeric, salt, and pepper

The Traditional Method The rice is parboiled and layered with dill and beans, then steamed to perfection. Meanwhile, lamb shanks are slow-cooked until fall-apart tender, often in a saffron-rich broth. The two parts come together in a symphony of textures and flavors.

Why Try Different Variations?

Culinary Creativity Sometimes you want to play. Swap the lamb. Add extra herbs. Make it vegan. Baghali Polo ba Mahiche welcomes innovation.

Regional Twists Different parts of Iran add their spin—like more garlic in the north or using fresh herbs in the south.

Recipe 1: Classic Baghali Polo ba Mahiche

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1.5 cups fava beans (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup chopped dill (fresh or 3 tbsp dried)
• 2 lamb shanks
• 1 onion
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp ground saffron (bloomed in warm water)
• Salt and pepper
• 3 tbsp oil or butter

Instruction

1. Rinse and soak rice.
2. Parboil rice with salt until al dente.
3. Sauté onion, add turmeric, then lamb shanks. Brown on all sides.
4. Add water, saffron, salt, pepper. Simmer 2 hours.
5. Layer drained rice, dill, and fava beans.
6. Steam for 30-40 mins.
7. Serve rice on a platter with lamb shank on top.

Tips for Success

• Use fresh dill when possible.
• Bloom saffron for rich color.
• Use a non-stick pot for perfect tahdig.

Recipe 2: Baghali Polo with Chicken Thighs

Why Chicken? Not everyone eats lamb. Chicken thighs offer similar richness without the long cooking time.

How to Adapt the Recipe

• Swap lamb shanks for bone-in skin-on chicken thighs.
• Cook chicken with onion, saffron, garlic, turmeric in 30–40 minutes.
• Follow the same rice method.

Flavor Tip: Marinate chicken in yogurt and garlic before cooking for extra tenderness.

Recipe 3: Vegetarian Baghali Polo with Roasted Mushrooms

Plant-Based Proteins Meaty mushrooms like portobello or oyster make great lamb substitutes.

Roasting for Flavor

• Slice mushrooms, toss in olive oil, garlic, and soy sauce.
• Roast at 400°F for 20 mins.
• Add atop dill-fava rice and serve.

Vegan Bonus: Use coconut oil and skip yogurt entirely.

Recipe 4: Saffron-Infused Baghali Polo with Lamb Chops

Saffron All the Way In this elegant twist, lamb chops are seared and simmered in saffron-heavy stock.

How to Cook the Chops Perfectly

• Sear chops in butter.
• Add saffron water, garlic, lemon zest.
• Simmer 20 mins covered.
• Plate atop fluffy dill-fava rice.

Pro Tip: Add crushed rose petals for aroma.

Recipe 5: Crispy Baghali Polo Tahdig Style

Crunch Lovers Unite Make your whole rice layer crispy like tahdig. Perfect for texture fanatics.

The Best Pot and Rice Tips

• Use a cast-iron or non-stick pot.
• Add yogurt and egg yolk to the bottom rice layer.
• Cook low and slow for 1 hour.
• Flip like a cake.

Tahdig Upgrade: Layer thin potato slices at the bottom before rice.

Serving Suggestions

Traditional Sides

• Mast-o-khiar (yogurt with cucumber and mint)
• Shirazi salad
• Torshi (pickled vegetables)

Beverage Pairings

• Doogh (Persian yogurt drink)
• Cold brewed tea with rosewater

Storage and Leftovers

Store rice and meat separately for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat rice with a splash of water or butter to restore fluffiness.

Final Thoughts

Baghali Polo ba Mahiche is more than a dish it’s a memory in the making. Whether you’re going traditional or playful, these five variations offer a little something for everyone. Try one, try all. And don’t forget the crispy tahdig!

FAQs

1.Can I use frozen fava beans? Yes! Just rinse and add as usual.

2. How do I make it dairy-free? Use oil instead of butter and skip yogurt.

3.What if I don’t have saffron? Try turmeric and rosewater for a twist.

4. Can I make it in a rice cooker? Yes, but monitor the moisture.

5. Best pot for tahdig? Non-stick or cast-iron.

6. Can I use dill seed instead of leaves? Not recommended different flavor.

7. How do I make it spicy? Add a pinch of chili flakes to the meat.

8. Can I use brown rice? Yes,but adjust cooking time.

9. What’s the best meat substitute? Roasted mushrooms or tofu.

10. Can I freeze it? Yes, but thaw and steam rice to restore texture.

More About Saffron Applications:

• Saffron (Crocus sativus L.): A Source of Nutrients for Health
• Saffron (Crocus sativus) for depression
• How Saffron Could Benefit Your Health
• Effect of saffron supplementation on oxidative stress markers
• Crocin

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