🍚 Adas polo
Adas polo is Persian rice layered with brown lentils and steamed until fluffy, then topped with a sweet mix of onion fried until deep golden, raisins and dates warmed with cinnamon. Each grain stays separate, the lentils add an earthy bite and the topping brings sweetness. It is served as a main dish on its own or alongside stews and meat.
Diets
Allergens
None of the 14 major allergens in a typical recipe.
What it is made of
Recipe
Ingredients
- 300 g basmati rice, soaked for 1 hour
- 150 g brown or green lentils
- 2 onions, thinly sliced
- 60 g raisins
- 6 dates, pitted and chopped
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt and a pinch of saffron (optional)
Method
- Cook the lentils in salted water for about 15 minutes until just tender, then drain.
- Boil the drained rice in plenty of salted water for 6–7 minutes until almost cooked, then drain.
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in a heavy pot, layer the rice and lentils, make a few holes with a spoon handle, cover with a lid wrapped in a cloth and steam on low heat for 40 minutes.
- Meanwhile fry the onion in the remaining oil until deep golden, then add the raisins, dates and cinnamon and warm for 2 minutes.
- Spoon the rice onto a platter and top with the onion, raisin and date mixture.
How to make it lighter
- Cut the oil to 1 tbsp in the pot and 1 tbsp for the onions — every tablespoon is about 120 kcal.
- Use half the dates and raisins on top; they are sweet and calorie-dense.
- Make the lentil share larger than the rice for more protein and fibre per portion.
History
Adas polo belongs to the large family of Persian mixed rice dishes (polo), where rice is steamed with other ingredients. It is a familiar home dish across Iran and is often cooked for gatherings and during the cold months.
Count it in one photo
Point your camera at the table — Me Nutrition recognises Adas polo and every other dish, with calories and macros for each. Ate only half? Slide it.
Download on the App StoreSimilar dishes
Values are estimates per 100 g for a typical recipe; home and restaurant versions vary. Diets and allergens are worked out from the ingredients of a typical recipe — always check with whoever cooked the dish. Not medical advice. Nutrition data: Me Nutrition dish database v13. How we count →