Imperial Persian Rice Cooker Food

IMPERIAL RICE

Steps:

• Cook chicken breasts in a medium pot in 8 cups of water, chicken broth concentrate, a third of the onion, 1 of the bay leaves and 3 cloves of garlic. Bring to a boil and cook over medium- low heat 40 minutes. Once cooked, remove chicken and strain and reserves the broth where you cook the chicken, you will use 7 cups of broth to prepare the rice. Cool and shed chicken; set aside.
• Start preparing the rice in a large pot. Add 1 Tbsp. of the oil and cook and stir one third of the onion and 1 chopped clove of garlic. Add the reserved 7 cups of chicken broth from cooking the chicken. Incorporate the rice, 1/2 tsp. of the paprika and season to the taste. Once it boils reduce heat to medium low. Cover and cook until the rice is completely cooked.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet add remaining oil, the remaining onion, the remaining chopped garlic, the paprika and the bay leave, olives, shredded chicken and tomato sauce. Simmer 20 minutes or until the liquid evaporates.
• Preheat oven 350°F. You will need a rectangular 14 x9 or 13 x 9 inch baking dish (2 inches deep) which has been sprayed with cooking spray. Remember you are going to layer it as if it was a potato pie, lasagna or sandwich. Measure and reserve a 1/2 cup of the chicken mixture, 1/4 cup of the peas and a few of the pimiento strips.
• Spread a layer of rice in baking dish, top with the chicken mixture, then half of the cheeses and the peas. Top with another layer of rice and finish by decorating the center with the reserved chicken, peas, the pimiento strips. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake 15 minutes, uncover and bake until cheeses are melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

TAHDIG RECIPE (CRISPY PERSIAN RICE)

Steps:

• Mix the saffron into 1 cup very warm (but not hot) water. Let sit for at least 10 minutes to let the saffron release all of its flavor.
• In a sieve, rinse the rice under cool running water until the water almost runs clear.
• In a large pot, combine 8 cups of water and the salt (this is your one shot to season the rice itself). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the rice and cook until al dente, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain the rice.
• In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of the cooked rice, the yogurt, grapeseed oil, and 2 tbsp of the saffron water. Mix thoroughly.
• Spread the rice-yogurt mixture evenly on the bottom of a 10-inch lidded nonstick pot. Sprinkle 1 cup of the remaining cooked rice on top, followed by 2 tablespoons of the dried cherries, a pinch of orange zest, and a pinch of cinnamon. Add another layer of rice and repeat with the cherries, orange zest, and cinnamon, reserving a couple tbsp of the cherries for garnish. As you go about layering, the rice will start to dome and look "pointy" in the middle--that's okay! Keep it that way. Finish by dotting the top with the butter and pour the rest of the saffron water all over the top.
• Wrap the lid in a kitchen towel and secure it around the handle with a rubber band. Cover the pot and cook over low heat, 25 to 30 minutes or until the rice around the edges is golden and crispy; it's okay to peek under the lid! (See note #2) Be sure not to burn the bottom layer of the rice, though you do want a nice crust in the bottom.
• Remove the lid, invert a large serving plate over the pot, and carefully flip them over together. No worries if it sticks, just scrape it out and run with it! Sprinkle the tahdig with the reserved dried cherries and pistachios and serve right away.

PERSIAN BASMATI RICE CHELO (TAHDIG)

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan over a medium heat if using gas, or a medium-high heat if using electric. Fill the pan with boiling water and add the rice with a generous handful of crushed sea salt flakes. Boil for 6-8 mins until the rice is parboiled. You will know it is parboiled when the colour of the grains turn from the normal dullish white to a more brilliant white, and the grains become slightly elongated and begin to soften.
• Drain the rice and rinse it immediately under cold running water for a couple of minutes until it is cool. Line the bottom of the saucepan used to parboil the rice with some non-stick baking parchment (see tip).
• Return the paper-lined saucepan to the hob and pour in a generous drizzle of the oil with the butter. Season the base of the pan with some crushed sea salt flakes. Scatter the rice into the pan. Ensure you scatter it, don't pack it in - you want the lightness of the falling rice to allow for steam to rise up. Wrap the pan lid in a tea towel (to lock in the steam and make for a secure, tight seal), cover the pan and cook the rice on the lowest temperature possible for 45 mins if using gas, or a medium-low heat for 1 hr 30 mins if using electric. The grains should be puffed up when cooked.
• Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the pan (it can help to place a large serving dish over the pan and flip the rice onto the dish). Scrape out the tahdig (this is the crusty bit, it means 'bottom of the pan') and serve on top of the rice.

PERSIAN SLOW-COOKED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Slash each piece of chicken 2 or 3 times with a sharp knife.
• Mix the flour, turmeric and paprika in a small plastic bag.
• Shake the chicken pieces in it to coat them thinly.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan, add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides.
• Transfer to a plate.
• Add the onion and garlic to the frying pan and fry, stirring for 5 minutes until lightly browned.
• Stir in the remaining spiced flour and stir into the onion and garlic mixture.
• Add the cloves, ginger and some pepper.
• Pour in and gradually incorporate the stock.
• Bring to the boil stirring.
• Pack the chicken joints into the slow cooker and pour in the hot stock mixture. Cover with the lid.
• Cook on high for 2 hours, then on medium for another 4 hours (or on medium for longer).