Bagali Polo
The night before you are to eat Bagali Polo. Take a large container of plain yogurt (if you buy your yogurt Dannon is the best). Open it add 1 teaspoon of salt, mix in and put a towel over the container, place container on top of your fridge.
The next night make Persian rice: (this is taken from my friend cookbook... I just borrowed it because I make mine the same way and then I didn't have to type it all in)"This method produces a lovely rice where each individual grain is separate and does not stick together. The potatoes form a golden crust called tadik, which means "bottom of the pot." They are a favorite with Persian children, and sort of like warm potato chips.Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 1-2 tbsp. salt. Throw in 2 c. long grain rice, preferably Basmati. Boil uncovered for 10 min. Drain the rice in a colander under running cold water. Wash the pot. Cover the bottom of the pot with oil or margarine, about 1/4 c. Peel and slice 2-3 large potatoes, enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Place rice over the potatoes,"
add 1 cup of chopped dill and 1 small frozen container of Lima beans, "return to the stove over low heat. Wrap the lid of the pot with a cloth towel, taking care to fold the ends up and not let them touch the burner. Steam the rice for 30 min. or longer."
While rice is cooking: Dice an English cucumber, mix into yogurt from top fridge, mix in 1-2 T. of chopped dill, taste... it should be tangy if not add more salt and stir well.
When rice is finished remove from heat let sit for a few minutes. Turn over on to a large platter. Then scrap bottom out (you want tadik to come out in large pieces so that it can be eaten with your fingers. Sprinkle rice with saffron.
Serve.
To eat you mix the yogurt into the rice on your plate and eat.
Very good with pita.

Dolmeh (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
2 tb Olive oil
1/4 ts Turmeric;or to taste
1 md Onion;finely chopped
1 c Cooked yellow split peas
5 c Chopped mushrooms
2 c Cooked basmati
1 tb Dried parsley;or to taste
16 oz Jar grape leaves
1/4 ts Black pepper;or to taste
1 c Water
1/8 ts Cayenne;or to taste

In a skillet, heat oil and saute onion and mushrooms until soft. Add parsley and spices. Transfer to a bowl. Mix in peas and rice. Preheat oven to 350 . Line a 3-qt baking dish with a few grape leaves to keep stuffed leaves from sticking and burning. Place 1 heaping Tbs of rice mixture ( depending on size of leaf) in the center of a grape leaf. Fold in sides, then roll leaf from stem to tip. Place in casserole. Repeat procedure with remaining grape leaves until rice mixture is used up. Pour water in bottom of dish (to prevent sticking and drying out). Bake for 25 minutes. Serves 12 as an appetizer, 6 for dinner.

Adas Polow

Ingredients:
Ground beef or lamb - 2 Cups.
Basmati or long-grain rice - 2 Cups.
Gram lentils - 1 3/4 Cups.
Dates, pitted, chopped - 7 TBS.
Raisins - 8 TBS.
Saffron - 1/2 teaspoon.
Onions, sliced - 2 medium.
Cooking oil - 1/2 cup.
Salt - 1 teaspoon.
Turmeric - 1/2 teaspoon.
Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon.Preparation:
Let the rice soak for 4 hours. Cook in a non-stick pan for 15 minutes in salted water. Drain water and transfer cooked rice to a bowl.
In another pain boil 3 cups of water to this add the washed lentils and salt.
Let this cook for 20 minutes till it is soft and tender.
In a large skillet, add some oil and add the sliced onion. Fry till they are golden brown. To this add the ground beef, salt, turmeric, and black pepper. To this add hot water and cook till the water dries.
In another pan, add some oil and 1/2 cup of water. To this add half the rice, then add meat, lentils, washed raisins and dates. Follow by the rest of the rice. Cook this for 20 minutes and then pour the dissolved saffron over it.
Mix well and serve hot with a salad.

Verdict:
All: YUM!