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Meat, Maghreb and Middle East

Loobia polo (Persian rice with green beans and beef)

Loobia polo is a Persian rice dish cooked with green beans, ground beef, tomato and cinnamon, for 4 people, in 1 hour 20 minutes, medium difficulty, about €2.70 per person. The key to success is the golden crust that forms at the bottom of the pot during the gentle steaming.

Tonight it's loobia polo, a Persian rice cooked with green beans, ground beef, tomato and cinnamon, that forms a golden crust at the bottom of the pot.

Loobia polo (Persian rice with green beans and beef)
Total time
1 h 20
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€2.70
Calories per person
600 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Loobia polo combines saffron scented basmati rice, ground beef seasoned with cinnamon and tomato, and green beans that keep a bit of bite. The two step cooking, first parboiling the rice then steaming it gently, gives tender fragrant grains, while the bottom of the pot forms a golden crispy crust served on the side, like a hidden treasure at the bottom of the dish.

This is a good dish for a Sunday or an evening when you have a bit of time, since the steaming needs 40 minutes of patience. Kids usually like the ground beef and the saffron rice, and the green beans go over well because they stay slightly firm and full of flavor. Mon Chou suggests it as a change from usual rice dishes, with spices that stay mild.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Basmati riceoften in the pantry 320 g
  • Tomato pasteoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Cinnamonoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saffron 1 pinch
  • Oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Green beans 400 g
  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 2 cloves

Butcher

  • Ground beef 350 g

Dairy

  • Butter 40 g

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Sauté the chopped onion in the oil with the turmeric, add the beef and garlic, and let it brown. 10 min

    Break up the meat well with a spatula.

  2. Add the tomato paste, cinnamon, salt and pepper, then the green beans cut into pieces. 10 min

    Cook the green beans for a few minutes only, they shouldn't be fully cooked.

  3. Cook the rice for 8 minutes in boiling salted water, then drain it. 8 min

    It should be half cooked.

  4. In a large pot, add a layer of oil and butter, then alternate layers of rice and the meat and bean mixture.

    Shape a dome in the center, the steam circulates better.

  5. Poke holes in the rice, pour in the infused saffron and melted butter, cover with a kitchen towel and cook over very low heat. 40 min

    Listen to the bottom of the pot, a light crackling sound means the crust is forming.

Our tips to get it right

  • Don't oversalt the rice cooking water, since the meat and tomato mixture is already seasoned.
  • Use a heavy bottomed pot so the crust browns without burning, especially if your stove runs hot.
  • Steep the saffron in a bit of warm water for a few minutes before adding it, the color and aroma spread better.

The variations

  • Swap the ground beef for ground lamb, closer to the traditional taste of loobia polo.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with cooked green lentils and keep the same spices.
  • For rushed kids, skip the crust step and serve the rice and meat mixed together right after cooking.

What to serve it with

  • Plain yogurt or cacik
  • Cucumber and mint salad
  • Warm pita bread

Storage

Loobia polo keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well, except for the crust, which loses its crispiness. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or in the microwave, covered.

Questions about this dish

Can you make loobia polo ahead of time?

You can make the meat and bean mixture the day before and keep it in the fridge. Cook the rice and assemble the pot the same day to enjoy the crispy crust.

What if the crust sticks to the bottom of the pot?

Let the pot rest off the heat for a few minutes before unmolding, it loosens the crust more easily. A generous layer of oil at the start also helps.

Can you replace the saffron?

Saffron gives the dish its signature color and aroma, so it's hard to replace. Without it, the dish still tastes good but loses that particular fragrance.

Does loobia polo freeze well?

Yes, you can freeze the rice and the meat and bean mixture in an airtight container. The crust, however, doesn't freeze well since it loses its crispiness.

How long does it take to make a loobia polo?

Count 1 h 20 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in a loobia polo?

About 600 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a loobia polo cost?

About €2.70 per serving, or €10.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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