By Setareh Kiumarsi
Ingredients:
1 medium onion
1 cup mung bean sprouts
2 colored bell peppers
2 tablespoons tomato paste
5–6 dried apricot slices or yellow apricots
2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
1 cup rice
Olive oil: as needed
Spice mix: saffron, turmeric, coriander seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, salt
Instructions:
Finely chop the onion. In a skillet, pour a little olive oil and add saffron, turmeric, and coriander seeds. Once the oil and spices are slightly heated, add the onions and let them sauté until golden.
Next, add the washed mung bean sprouts to the skillet along with turmeric, coriander seeds, garlic powder, and onion powder.
After lightly sautéing the ingredients, add the chopped bell peppers and sprinkle again with turmeric, coriander seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
**Note:** Since these ingredients will be mixed with rice, they should be slightly seasoned. Cover the skillet and let the ingredients cook together for a bit. In a separate cup, put some saffron and add half a cup of boiling water. Let the saffron steep.
Next, add 2 heaping tablespoons of tomato paste to the cup, mix well with water and saffron, and pour it into the skillet. Wash and chop the apricot slices and add them to the skillet. Then add 2 tablespoons of white sesame seeds.
Remove the lid and let the liquid evaporate, so that when cooking the rice, it doesn’t become mushy.
If you are not vegetarian, you can also add ground chicken, camel, or lamb. When making the golden onions at the beginning, before adding the other ingredients, add the ground meat, sprinkle turmeric, coriander seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, and sauté with the onions.
Cook the soaked rice in boiling water and drain (see the spiced rice instructions).
Pour a little olive oil into the bottom of a pot, then add a layer of rice followed by a layer of the prepared mixture. Finally, mix the rice and ingredients thoroughly, cover, and let the rice steam. Serve and enjoy!
Please make sure to mention the author, “Setareh Kiumarsi,” if you share or republish this article, which was written with hope for everyone’s health and love.
