Hands down my favorite recipe from Louisa Shafia's New Persian Kitchen is the rice with yogurt tahdig, which I made last night. This is called "stuck-pot rice" in some quarters because you cook your rice in such a way that it forms a hard crust (tahdig) caked to the bottom of the pot. I'd heard of it before, but, to quote Deb Perelman, "I guffawed a bit, because who needs a recipe for that?" I used to have this great picture of my mother lounging with a glass of wine on the living room floor in her pottery clothes. It was tacked to my wall for years and my private caption for it was: “Mom, letting the brown rice burn.”
There’s a recipe for curry-spiked stuck-pot rice in The Essential New York Times Cookbook (this is it) and here's Smitten Kitchen’s lentil-fortified take on the dish. I want to try them both, but at this point can only vouch for Shafia’s unspiced yogurt version. It is fabulous and easy and you need to try it.
Here’s how it works: Cook basmati rice in rapidly boiling salted water for 5 minutes then drain. Mix some of the rice with yogurt to form a paste. Heat oil or butter a wide skillet until sizzling hot and spread the paste across the the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle with salt and flatten with a spatula. Now mound the rest of the rice on top in a soft pyramid shape. Cover and cook for 10 minutes at medium-high heat. Put a clean towel under the lid, reduce heat to low, and cook for 50 minutes more.
The rice on the bottom formed a crispy, salty, delectably oily brown crust and directly above the crust was a softer, tangier layer. Above that, was a mass of fluffy white rice. Shafia: "When made well, tahdig looks like a perfectly caramelized disk, and it can be detached from the pot and served whole, or broken into jagged, golden shards." I think it must look like this.
I didn’t even try to unmold the rice and keep the crust intact, just scooped out individual portions. Shafia describes the crust's flavor as "somewhere between fried chicken and popcorn," which captures it perfectly. Her full recipe is here. For her yogurt version, just add 3 tablespoons of Greek yogurt to the 2 cups rice and mix to form a paste.
I didn’t even try to unmold the rice and keep the crust intact, just scooped out individual portions. Shafia describes the crust's flavor as "somewhere between fried chicken and popcorn," which captures it perfectly. Her full recipe is here. For her yogurt version, just add 3 tablespoons of Greek yogurt to the 2 cups rice and mix to form a paste.
When I handed him his plate, I explained to Owen that the brown crusty pieces were a feature not a bug. This made him suspicious/rebellious so he ate everything but the crust. Irritating! But also cool because it meant more of the good stuff for Mom. Reverse psychology is always the way to go these days.
Thank you, Louisa Shafia, for this extraordinary recipe and a lovely book.
He didn't eat the tahdig? In Iranian families, the kids fight over it! And by kids I mean, my aunts and uncles try to steal it off my plate. You will totally impress the Iranian ladies in your ESL class when you tell them you made tahdig.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Shafia's recipe for tahdig made of yogurt works out. That's the version of tahdig I do too, unless I am being lazy and using an Iranian-made rice maker which does it all, without yogurt. I was skeptical of some of her other variations and haven't tried anything from the book yet. You are convincing me that I should. Anyway, I just recently discovered your blog and I think it's a breath of fresh air.
Thirteen-year-old American boys are ridiculous.
DeleteFunny you mention the ESL class. I went today and there's an Iranian woman -- a newcomer -- who doesn't understand any English. A few basic words. I think she just wants to be in the intermediate class because her friend is there and to be alone in the beginner class intimidates her. Anyway, I was trying to help her along and the only word we shared was tahdig. I showed her a picture on my phone to be sure we were really communicating and, yes, we were. It's a start.
Maybe if you'd told Owen it was a bug he would have eaten it.
ReplyDeleteMark Bittman has stuck-pot rice in HTCEV but I've been afraid to try it. Now that I know you've road-tested it and it really is as delicious as claimed, I'll go for it. Of course my own crew of skeptical eaters will probably give it a pass ... delicious dilemma!
You should make it --- totally inoffensive, flavor-wise. Owen defies me in everything, now. It's his guiding principle.
Deletecould you clarify the "put a clean towel under the lid" I have visions of a towel hanging out and catching fire.. or is it all tucked inside the lid? which seems likely. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, it should be tucked inside the lid.
DeleteThis is how I do it.
Deletehttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lE7KGPiTAwY/Usg-LgzEo4I/AAAAAAAAM64/-zDv842Y8iM/s1600/persian+chicken+and+chelow-110.jpg
Years ago I had a friend who had been married to an Iranian man and knew a thing or two about Persian food. She taught me to make a similar dish using potatoes at the bottom of the pot of rice. She said you could do it without the potatoes, letting the rice become crusty, but I never tried that. The dish was outstanding in every way: Rice, mixed with caramelized onions and a small berry that I want to say was called zeresht, which added a tart-sweet component, and the layer of sliced, very brown potatoes sizzling in butter or oil underneath it all. I, too, scooped it out rather than turning it out. Just looked up the berry and it is called zereshk, which means barberries, which are unfamiliar to me.
ReplyDeleteI was inspired after reading all the various versions of this Stuck-Pot rice, with potato, pita etc. I often have left-over spaghetti, which I've been trying to find a use for. It was WONDERFUL in this recipe. I fried some onions and mushrooms, chopped the spaghetti up a little bit and added that to the yogurt mixture. I patted that into the hot pan and let it fry. Then I topped it with cooked rice that I had on hand and put the lid on it for 30 minutes. I didn't bother with the towel but might next time, just to see what difference it will make. Loved it all. I will be looking forward to left-over spaghetti now.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog for awhile now and I love it! I had to comment on the rice-yogurt-tahdiq . . . My mother-in-law (who is Iranian) makes the version with the yogurt and the version with the potatoes and zereshk (which we just call "red berries" because no one knew what kind they were, only that "you don't have them in America"). She adds saffron to the version with zereshk. She also makes a version with lettuce on the bottom and another yogurt version with dill and lima beans. They are all delicious. Growing up, we never ate rice, so I never learned to cook it. I've watched my mother-in-law make the rice, but it always looks too complicated to try on my own. Now that I've read this post, I will try following this recipe. My mother-in-law and I don't really have anything in common and we don't speak the same language, but we've always bonded over watching the food network and looking at cooking magazines.
ReplyDeleteNext time, invert the pan like a cake onto a platter so you can eat the tahdiq by itself. It easily separates from the rest of the rice. Scrape off the rice that clings to it, and then let people break off pieces to enjoy. The one with dill on her website is also delicious.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't the right place to comment, but this post made me laugh and reminded me of your writing about Uncrustables in "Make the Bread..."
ReplyDeletehttp://unsophisticook.com/homemade-uncrustables-sandwiches/
ray ban sunglasses
ReplyDeletelululemon outlet
salomon shoes
pandora charms
oakley sunglasses
lacoste polo shirts
cheap ray ban sunglasses
abercrombie and fitch
ralph lauren outlet
michael kors outlet online
christian louboutin shoes
cheap soccer jerseys
celine outlet
kobe 9
tiffany jewelry
tory burch outlet online
lacoste polo shirts
tiffany and co jewelry
pandora charms
salomon running shoes
adidas wings
jordan 11
fitflop shoes
coach outlet store online
ferragamo shoes
michael kors canada
cheap mlb jerseys
tods shoes
soccer jerseys for sale
mont blanc pens
kate spade outlet
oakley sunglasses wholesale
insanity max 30
mlb jerseys
new balance shoes
jordan shoes
louis vuitton handbags
new balance 574
hollister clothing store
insanity
cartier love bracelet
ReplyDeletechelsea football shirts
chanel outlet
steelers jerseys
christian louboutin uk
ugg boots uk
mizuno shoes
true religion jeans
nhl jerseys
nike running shoes
fivefingers shoes
monster beats
nike roshe run
kobe bryant jersey
san francisco 49ers jerseys
supra sneakers
robert griffin jersey,joe theismann jersey,andre roberts jersey,sonny jurgensen jersey,art monk jersey,bashaud breeland jersey,barry cofield jersey,perry riley jersey,e.j. biggers jersey,duke ihenacho jersey,josh morgan jersey
cartier bracelet
carmelo anthony jersey
bobby orr blackhawks jersey,jeremy roenick authentic jersey,jonathan toews blackhawks jersey,stan mikita blackhawks jersey,corey crawford blackhawks jersey,michael jordan jersey,michal handzus jersey,peter regin jersey
nba jerseys wholesale
north face jackets,north face,the north face,northface,north face outlet,north face jackets clearance,the north face
nike air huarache,nike huarache,nike huarache sneakers,nike huarache shoes
soccer shoes
new england patriots jerseys
nike roshe,nike roshe run uk,nike roshe uk,roshe run,nike roshe run,roshe run women,rushe run men
nike free
kobe 9
michael kors uk
coach outlet store
yongri0716
mcm world wide
ReplyDeleteburberry
christian louboutin shoes
tory burch sale
abercrombie kids
abercrombie
abercrombie and fitch
air huarache
air jordans
air jordan 2015
air max 2015
nike air max
babyliss
cheap basketball shoes
monster beats
dre beats
beats by dre outlet
beats by dre
bottega veneta
burberry
burberry outlet
burberry outlet online
burbery outlet store
burberry outlet
calvin kleins outlet
celine bags
chanel bags
softball bats
christian louboutin outlet
baseball jerseys
air jordan shoes
michael kors handbags clearance
nike outlet
oakley sunglasses cheap
oakley outlet
oakley sunglasses
michael kors online outlet
ReplyDeletecamisetas futbol baratas
boston celtics
new york giants
philadelphia eagles
michael kors wallet sale
oakland raiders
discount ugg boots
cheap jordans
michael kors uk outlet
oakley sunglasses wholesale
replica handbags,replica handbags outlet,cheap handbags,purses and handbags,wholesale replica handbags,replica bags,bags outlet,replica handbags wholesale,cheap purses,discount handbags,handbags sale,wholesale purses,handbags and purses,replica purses
michael kors factory online
timberland shoes
winter coats
christian louboutin,louboutin,louboutin outlet,louboutin outlet italia,scarpe louboutin
herve leger dresses
michael kors outlet online
hermes birkin bag
1118minko
chenlili20160308
ReplyDeletejordan shoes
louis vuitton
air max 90
swarovski jewelry
mcm outlet
michael kors bags
nike blazers
nike trainers
giuseppe zanotti sneakers
louis vuitton outlet
gucci outlet
louis vuitton
nike air force 1
toms
rolex submariner
kobe bryant shoes
ray ban sunglasses
ray ban sunglasses
nike air max
polo ralph lauren
kate spade handbags
air jordan 13
nike sb
coach outlet
replica watches
louis vuitton outlet
michael kors outlet
pandora jewelry
ray ban sunglasses outlet
coach factorty outlet
christian louboutin outlet
uggs on sale
michael kors outlet
gucci handbags
louis vuitton outlet
vans shoes
happy diwali sms
ReplyDeletehappy diwali
diwali images
happy new year 2017
new year shayari
new year images
happy navratri
independence day sms
raksha bandhan sms
online sbi personal banking
happy birthday wishes
free web hosting
pnb net banking activation
sol result
metro card recharge
stop sbi cheque payment
ReplyDeletediwali whatsapp messages
ReplyDeleteKannur University Hall Ticket 2016
ReplyDeleteKannur University Result 2016 for all course
Kannur University Admit Card 2016
Kannur University Hall Ticket 2017
Kannur University Result 2017
Kannur University Admit Card 2016
Kannur University Entrance Date 2016
Kannur University Degree Allotment
Kannur University Trial Allotment 2016
Kannur University Admission 2016
Kannur University Onlie Admission
Kannur University Distance Education Result 2016
Kannur University Hall Ticket 2016
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University BA Result 2016-2017
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Hall Ticket 2016
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Result 2016 for all course
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Admit Card 2016
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Hall Ticket 2017
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Result 2017
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Admit Card 2016
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Entrance Date 2016
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Degree Allotment
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Trial Allotment 2016
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Admission 2016
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Onlie Admission
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Distance Education Result 2016
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University Hall Ticket 2016
Karnatak State Open University BA Result 2016-2017
Karnatak State Open University Hall Ticket 2016
Karnatak State Open University Result 2016 for all course
Karnatak State Open University Admit Card 2016
Karnatak State Open University Hall Ticket 2017
Karnatak State Open University Result 2017
Karnatak State Open University Admit Card 2016
Karnatak State Open University Entrance Date 2016
Karnatak State Open University Degree Allotment
Karnatak State Open University Trial Allotment 2016
Karnatak State Open University Admission 2016
Karnatak State Open University Onlie Admission
ReplyDeleteKarnatak State Open University Distance Education Result 2016
Karnatak State Open University Hall Ticket 2016
Andhara University BA Result 2016-2017
Andhara University Hall Ticket 2016
Andhara University Result 2016 for all course
Andhara University Admit Card 2016
Andhara University Hall Ticket 2017
Andhara University Result 2017
Andhara University Admit Card 2016
Andhara University Entrance Date 2016
Andhara University Degree Allotment
Andhara University Trial Allotment 2016
Andhara University Admission 2016
Andhara University Onlie Admission
Andhara University Distance Education Result 2016
Andhara University Hall Ticket 2016
Symbiosis University BA Result 2016-2017
Symbiosis University Hall Ticket 2016
Symbiosis University Result 2016 for all course
Symbiosis University Admit Card 2016
Symbiosis University Hall Ticket 2017
Symbiosis University Result 2017
Symbiosis University Admit Card 2016
Symbiosis University Entrance Date 2016
Symbiosis University Degree Allotment
Symbiosis University Trial Allotment 2016
Symbiosis University Admission 2016
Symbiosis University Onlie Admission
Symbiosis University Distance Education Result 2016
Symbiosis University Hall Ticket 2016
IBS Hydrabad BA Result 2016-2017
IBS Hydrabad Hall Ticket 2016
IBS Hydrabad Result 2016 for all course
IBS Hydrabad Admit Card 2016
IBS Hydrabad Hall Ticket 2017
IBS Hydrabad Result 2017
IBS Hydrabad Admit Card 2016
IBS Hydrabad Entrance Date 2016
IBS Hydrabad Degree Allotment
IBS Hydrabad Trial Allotment 2016
IBS Hydrabad Admission 2016
ReplyDeleteIBS Hydrabad Onlie Admission
IBS Hydrabad Distance Education Result 2016
IBS Hydrabad Hall Ticket 2016
List Of MBA Colleges
Government Jobs & Opportunity
UPSC Requitment 2016
Indian Railway Requitment 2016
Bihar Topper 2016
Magadh University
Magadh University Hall Ticket 2016
Magadh University Result 2016 for all course
Magadh University Admit Card 2016
Magadh University Hall Ticket 2017
Magadh University Result 2017
Magadh University Admit Card 2016
Magadh University Entrance Date 2016
Magadh University Degree Allotment
Magadh University Trial Allotment 2016
Magadh University Admission 2016
Magadh University Onlie Admission
Magadh University Distance Education Result 2016
Magadh University Hall Ticket 2016
UP Scholarship 2016
UP Scholarship 2017
UP Scholarship List 2016 - 2017
Online Apply for UP Scholarship 2016 - 2017
IDBI Education Loan for Student
Delhi Government Student Education Loan
British Council Scholarship for abroad student
Jammu & Kashmir Scholarship
happy new year 2017
ReplyDeletehappy new year
happy new year 2017 sms
happy new year 2017 shayari
happy new year 2017 quotes
happy new year 2017 images
happy new year 2017 wishes
happy new year 2017 wallpapers
happy new year 2017 pics
happy new year 2017 cliparts
happy new year 2017 gif
happy new year 2017 poems
happy diwali
happy diwali 2016 sms
happy diwali 2016 wishes
happy diwali 2016
happy diwali 2016 quotes
happy diwali 2016 images
happy diwali 2016 messages
happy diwali 2016 greetings
happy diwali 2016 cards
ctet sept 2016 result
ctet sept 2016 answer key
ctet sept 2016 answer key
ctet sept 2016 result
latest govt jobs 2016
happy navratri 2016
happy navratri 2016 sms
Happy New Year 2017 SMS
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year 2017 Wishes
Happy New Year 2017 Greeting Cards
Happy New Year 2017 Messages
Happy New Year 2017 Shayari
Happy New Year 2017 Email Template
Happy New Year 2017 Horoscope
Happy New Year 2017 HD Wallpaper
Happy New Year 2017 Images
Happy New Year 2017 Qoutes
Happy New Year 2017 Calendar
Happy New Year 2017 Vector
Happy New Year 2017 Clipart
Happy New Year 2017 whatsapp Images & Messages
Cbse 10th 12th Result 2017
ReplyDeleteEpf
Online Pan Card
Pnb net banking
Sol du
Happy new year 2017
online metro card recharge
Bank of india
ReplyDeleteHow to Activate bank of india internet baqnking online
Bank Of India Online Mobile Banking
Apply Online BOI Vehicle Loan
BAnk of India Credit Card
Apply Online jobs In Bank of India
Prdhan mantri jan Dhan Yojana Scheme
Bank of india Agri Clinic Loan
Bank Of India Education Loaqn
Bank Of India Star Smart Home Loan
Bank of india Loan Against Property
louis vuitton sacs
ReplyDeletemiami heat jersey
oakley sunglasses
michael kors handbags
michael kors handbags
skechers outlet
dolce and gabbana shoes
nike trainers uk
baltimore ravens jerseys
falcons jersey
EPFO
ReplyDeleteepf Balance
epf online Claim
epf account balance check
epf account login
UAN Activation
epf status
nike huarache
ReplyDeletepolo ralph lauren
seattle seahawks jerseys
nike outlet store
supreme shirt
jimmy choo outlet
steelers jerseys
snapbacks
jordans
louboutin outlet
supreme hoodie
ReplyDeleteair jordan
lebron james shoes
golden goose outlet
yeezy
kyrie 7 shoes
golden goose
stephen curry shoes
yeezy
nike x off white