Description
A flavorful and aromatic Persian dish, Meygoo Polo, combines tender shrimp with a fragrant rice-quinoa blend, infused with a blend of herbs and spices. This dish is a delightful fusion of flavors that will transport your taste buds to the heart of Iran.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup Basmati rice, rinsed
- 1/2 cup brown basmati rice, rinsed
- 1/2 cup quinoa or rice
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust as needed)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
For the Shrimp Mixture:
- 1 onion, large, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, large
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder or advieh (Persian spice blend)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup dill, chopped
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup fenugreek leaves, chopped or 3/4 tablespoon dried
- 1 pound raw shrimp, cleaned and deveined
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/3 teaspoon saffron, powdered and dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water
Instructions
- COOK RICE: Bring 3¼ cups water to a boil. Add ⅔ teaspoon salt and 1½ tablespoons olive oil. Add the brown rice first. Lower the heat, cover, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Then add quinoa and white basmati rice to the same pot. Cover and let it all simmer until the grains are well done (approximately an additional 20 minutes).
- COOK SHRIMP: Heat 1½ tablespoons olive oil in a cooking pot over medium heat. Sauté chopped onions until translucent, then add grated garlic and continue sautéing until golden. Add sliced red bell pepper and shrimp. Sauté briefly, then add spices, herbs, and salt. Cook until shrimp are just cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Remove shrimp from the pot.
- ASSEMBLE SHRIMP AND RICE: Layer rice-quinoa mixture and sautéed onion-herbs mixture alternately in a heavy-bottomed pot. Top with lemon juice and saffron water. Cover and cook over low heat for 25 minutes until steaming. Serve the rice topped with shrimp and fresh herbs.
Notes
- Rice: Cooking times and water needed may vary, adjust as needed. For fluffy rice, ensure the grains hold their shape well.
- Shrimp: Use frozen shrimp for safety. Adjust seasoning for personal preference.
- Salt: Check for hidden salt in ingredients and adjust as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
