This Persian dish is a ‘real showstopper’
This Persian dish is a real showstopper.
“Tahdig (pronounced tahdeeg) is a Persian dish that translates to ‘bottom of the pot’, a reference to the crunchy golden-brown layer of rice that forms at the bottom of the pan,” explains chef Josh Katz.
“Perfecting the technique requires practise, patience and perseverance.”
Jewelled tahdig recipe
Ingredients:
(Serves 4-6)
300ml verjuice
100g caster sugar
80g currants
60g barberries
80g pumpkin seeds
40g pistachios
2tbsp olive oil
1tbsp flaked sea salt
360g basmati rice
1 bay leaf
1tbsp fennel seeds
75g butter, melted, plus extra for greasing
1½tbsp natural yoghurt
20g rice flour, mixed with cold water to form a slurry paste 2 egg yolks
Method:
1. Bring the verjuice and sugar to the boil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the currants and barberries. Take off the heat and set aside, allowing the fruit to soak in the juices for 30 minutes – they will soften and plump up. Drain and set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C Fan/Gas Mark 3. Roll the pumpkin seeds and pistachios in the olive oil and season with the salt. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and toast in the oven for 25–30 minutes until golden and crunchy. Set aside to cool.
3. Rinse the rice in a bowl filled with cold water and swirl several times with your fingers to release the starch. Repeat a few times until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside. Put the bay leaf and fennel seeds on a muslin and tie a knot, making a bouquet garni. Half fill a 20cm saucepan with water, add the bouquet garni, and bring to the boil over high heat. Add the rice, stir several times, bring back to the boil and cook over medium-high heat for five minutes until the rice is slightly softened but still firm. Drain the rice and run under cold water briefly to cool to stop it from cooking any further, then leave to stand in the colander for a few minutes. Transfer to a baking tray, spread out to a thin layer and set aside until completely cooled.
4. Butter a non-stick frying pan. Take one-third of the par-cooked rice and place in a large bowl with the yoghurt, a third of the melted butter and the rice flour slurry. Stir to combine. Spread this rice evenly in a thin layer onto the bottom of the prepared frying pan. This will form the tahdig. Layer the remaining par-cooked rice on top intermittently with threequarters of the currants, barberries, pumpkin seeds and pistachios (saving the rest for the garnish), working your way up in layers to make a mound shape. Do not pack the rice down. It should be layered lightly to leave space for the rice to expand. Wrap the lid of the pan tightly with a clean tea towel and place on top. Place the pan over medium-low heat and cook for 12–15 minutes. Towards the end of cooking, drizzle the rest of the butter around the edges.
5. Just before serving, dig up a small well in the top of the rice and gently add the egg yolks. Cover the yolks with the rice and, using a plate where the lid once was, invert the rice carefully on to a plate. Serve immediately with the rest of the pumpkin seeds, pistachios, raisins and barberries scattered over the top.
■ Berber&Q: On Vegetables by Josh Katz is published by Kyle Books, priced at £25.