Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi Recipe
Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi, also known as Herbed Rice With Fish, is a beloved Iranian dish that we featured in our article “How to Prepare Various Dishes with Fish.” It’s traditionally prepared for special occasions like Nowruz, and has become a memorable and popular dish due to its association with family gatherings on special nights.
Preparing Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi, or Herbed Rice with Fish, is actually quite easy. The key is to follow a few important cooking tips, such as selecting the right type of fish and vegetables, and following the cooking principles step-by-step. By doing so, you’ll be able to make this delicious and authentic Iranian dish to perfection.
Let’s get started on making a delicious Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi, or Herbed Rice with Fish! First, gather all the necessary ingredients with the help of Cookingrush. We’ll guide you through the entire process of preparing Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi step-by-step.
Ingredients for Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi
| Ingredients for 2 people | |
| Rice | 2 cups |
| Tilapia fish | 3 |
| Onion | 1 |
| Garlic | 3 Cloves |
| Vegetable pilaf | 200 grams |
| Brewed saffron | 2 tablespoons |
| Dry dill | 2 tablespoons |
| Fish spice | 1 teaspoon |
| Sour lemon juice | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt | As much as needed |
| Black pepper | The tip of a teaspoon |
| Turmeric | Half a teaspoon |
| Oil | As much as needed |
How to prepare Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi (Herbed Rice With Fish)
- To prepare Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi (Herbed Rice with Fish), begin by washing and peeling an onion. Finely chop the onion and place it in a suitable bowl. Grate some garlic and add salt, turmeric, black pepper, lime juice, and fish spices to the bowl.
2. For the fish, remove the head and tail, and carefully scale or skin it. Cut the fish into pieces or fillets and place them in the bowl with the seasoning ingredients.
3. Mix the seasoning ingredients well with the fish pieces using your hands. Place the fish in a cellophane bowl and refrigerate for an hour to allow the flavors to infuse.
4. Now it’s time to prepare the rice. Depending on the type of rice, put it in a suitable container, add lukewarm water and a spoonful of salt, and let it soak for 1 to 3 hours.
5. Thoroughly wash the herbs (leek, parsley, coriander, dill, fenugreek, and fresh garlic leaves) that will go in the pilaf. Chop them to the appropriate size, neither too fine nor too coarse, and set aside.
- The first step is to cook Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi (Herbed Rice With Fish). Begin by placing a suitable pot on medium heat, adding water until it boils halfway, then draining the soaked rice and pouring it into the boiling water along with a spoonful of salt and oil to cook.
- The next step is to cook the rice and vegetables together. It takes 7 to 10 minutes to cook the rice. After 5 minutes of cooking the rice, add the chopped vegetables to the pot. When the inside of the rice is hard and the outside is soft, pour the rice and vegetables into the colander.
- To prevent the rice from becoming a paste, pour lukewarm water on it to lower the temperature. Now it’s time to start brewing Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi (Herbed Rice With Fish). For this, place a suitable pot on low heat and pour 2 spoons of oil on the bottom of the pot.
- If you want to use the bottom of the pot, place bread or rolled potatoes on the bottom of the pot. Then pour 1 spoonful of the rice and vegetable mixture on the bottom of the pot. Add dill and rice again, then dill and rice again.
- To prepare Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi (Herbed Rice With Fish), start by making a hole in the middle of the rice using the handle of a spatula. This will allow the steam to circulate evenly. Finally, pour the brewed saffron on top of the rice, cover the pot with a lid, and let the Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi steam.
- After making Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi (Herbed Rice With Fish), it’s time to remove the marinated fish from the refrigerator. First, separate the fish from the flavoring ingredients. Next, put a suitable pan on low heat and add the required amount of oil.
- Slowly place the fish in the pan and start frying it. When one side is golden, turn the fish over and fry the other side until golden. Finally, remove the fish from the pan.
- When the Sabzi Polo (Herbed Rice) is cooked, open the lid of the pot to let out any excess steam and heat. Then, use a spatula to mix the contents of the pot, transfer it to a dish, and serve it with the fried fish.
Final Words
In conclusion, you have the flexibility to season your fish using your preferred ingredients and any type of fish that you desire when making vegetable pilaf with fish.
For the recipe we have provided, we mixed the fish with spices, onions, garlic, and lemon juice. To allow the fish to absorb the flavors, it is refrigerated before being cooked with the rice and vegetables. The final step involves pouring the mixture into a pot and boiling it to complete the dish.
We hope you enjoy this recipe, and if you have any suggestions for enhancing the flavor of this dish, please do not hesitate to share them with us.
