Lubia Cheshm Bolboli Polo (Black-Eyed Pea Rice)

Lubia Cheshm Bolboli Polo (Black-Eyed Pea Rice)

لوبیا چشم بلبلی پلو

Creamy black-eyed peas—called 'nightingale eyes' in Persian for their distinctive appearance—nestled in fragrant dill-flecked rice with tender lamb or beef. This hearty, protein-rich dish combines the earthiness of legumes with bright fresh dill and aromatic saffron. A beloved home-style polo that's both nourishing and deeply satisfying.

riceVorbereitung: 25 MinKochen: 90 MineasyFür 6

Kultureller Hinweis

The Persian name 'lubia cheshm bolboli' (لوبیا چشم بلبلی) translates to 'nightingale-eyed beans'—a poetic description of the black spot on these cream-colored legumes that resembles a bird's eye. This dish exemplifies Persian ingenuity in creating satisfying, protein-rich meals from humble ingredients. The combination with dill is classic, creating a dish that's both rustic and aromatic.

Kritische Momente

  • Black-eyed peas cooked until tender (not hard or mushy)
  • Proper parboiling of rice
  • Meat braised until very tender
  • Never lifting lid during steaming
1
VORBEREITUNG5 Min

Soak the black-eyed peas

Place dried black-eyed peas in a bowl, cover with cold water by 8cm. Soak overnight (8-12 hours). Drain before using. If using canned, skip this step—just rinse and drain.

Beans have swelled to nearly double their size
TexturBeans are plump and slightly softened
Black-eyed peas cook faster than most beans even without soaking, but soaking reduces cooking time and improves texture
Währenddessen: Soak overnight, or use canned for convenience
2
VORBEREITUNG15 Min

Wash and soak the rice

Place rice in a large bowl. Wash 5-6 times until water runs mostly clear. Dissolve 1.5 tbsp salt in 1.5L lukewarm water, add rice, soak for at least 1 hour.

Water nearly clear; soaked grains elongated
TexturSoaked rice is fragile
Währenddessen: Cook beans and meat while rice soaks
3
VORBEREITUNG3 Min

Bloom saffron

If using, grind saffron with pinch of sugar, steep in 3 tbsp hot water for at least 20 minutes.

Ruby-red liquid
GeruchHoney-floral saffron
4
KOCHEN35 Min

Cook the black-eyed peas

Place soaked, drained beans in a pot with 800ml fresh water and dried limes (if using). Bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer 25-35 minutes until beans are tender but not mushy. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Remove dried limes.

Beans are tender and creamy; skins intact
Boil then gentle simmer
GeruchEarthy beans with dried lime tang
KlangGentle simmering
TexturBeans are creamy inside but hold shape

Kritischer Schritt

Beans must be fully cooked before adding to rice—they won't soften further during steaming. Undercooked beans are unpleasant; overcooked become mushy.

Start testing at 25 minutes. Canned beans need only warming through.
Kontrollpunkt: Beans should be creamy when bitten, not hard or grainy
5
KOCHEN60 Min

Brown the meat (if using)

Heat 40ml oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, cook until golden. Add meat cubes, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Add 250ml water (or reserved bean cooking liquid), cover, simmer 45-60 minutes until meat is very tender.

Meat is browned and fork-tender; liquid reduced
Brown at 190°C, simmer gently
GeruchBraised meat with turmeric
KlangSizzling then gentle simmer
TexturMeat is very tender
For faster version, use ground meat—just brown thoroughly instead of braising. Or skip meat entirely for vegetarian version.
Währenddessen: Prepare dill while meat braises
6
VORBEREITUNG10 Min

Prepare the dill

Wash dill thoroughly, shake dry. Finely chop (should have about 2 packed cups). If using dried dill, measure 60g and set aside—don't sauté.

Fluffy pile of bright green chopped dill
GeruchIntensely aromatic, slightly anise-like dill fragrance
Fresh dill is far superior to dried for this dish
7
KOCHEN5 Min

Sauté the dill (if using fresh)

Heat 20ml oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped fresh dill and sauté 3-4 minutes until wilted and darkened slightly. Season with pinch of salt. If using dried dill, skip sautéing—it will be layered directly.

Dill has darkened from bright to deeper green
Medium175°C / 350°F
GeruchIntensified dill aroma
KlangGentle sizzling
TexturWilted but not mushy
Sautéing mellows the dill and intensifies flavor, but don't overcook
8
KOCHEN7 Min

Parboil the rice

Bring 3L water with 2 tbsp salt to rolling boil. Drain soaked rice, add to boiling water. Boil 5-7 minutes until al dente.

Rice grains elongated; water starchy
HighRolling boil
GeruchClean rice aroma
KlangActive boiling
TexturAl dente—soft outside, tiny firm core

Kritischer Schritt

Proper parboiling for fluffy rice.

9
KOCHEN3 Min

Drain and mix rice

Immediately drain rice. Rinse briefly with lukewarm water. Gently fold in the cooked black-eyed peas and sautéed dill (or dried dill), distributing evenly.

White rice flecked with green dill and studded with cream-colored beans
GeruchRice and aromatic dill
TexturEven distribution; all components intact
Fold gently—beans and rice are both fragile
10
KOCHEN6 Min

Prepare tahdig and layer

In a non-stick pot, combine 40ml oil with 2 tbsp saffron water (if using). Mix 1.5 cups rice-bean-dill mixture with 1 tbsp saffron water, spread on bottom for tahdig. Add remaining mixture, layering with meat pieces (if using) between layers. Build into pyramid. Poke 5-6 steam vents.

Green-flecked rice with visible beans in pyramid shape; meat layered through
GeruchDill, saffron, earthy beans
11
KOCHEN50 Min

Steam the rice

Drizzle melted butter over rice. Place over medium-high heat uncovered 3-4 minutes until steam rises. Wrap lid with towel, place tightly. Reduce to lowest heat. Steam 45-50 minutes.

Steam rising initially; then covered
Initial high 3-4 min, then lowest
GeruchAromatic dill and beans steaming; tahdig forming
KlangInitial sizzle, then quiet

Kritischer Schritt

Proper steaming for fluffy rice and crispy tahdig.

12
FERTIGSTELLEN8 Min

Rest and serve

Remove from heat, rest 5 minutes with lid on. Fluff rice gently. Spoon onto platter. Unmold tahdig. Drizzle remaining saffron water over top.

Fluffy green-flecked rice with beans throughout; meat visible; golden tahdig
GeruchAromatic dill, earthy beans, warm spices
KlangTahdig releasing
TexturFluffy rice; creamy beans; tender meat; crispy tahdig

Ruhezeit Erforderlich

5 Min - Allows tahdig to release cleanly

Extras

Ausstattung

großer TopfAntihaft-Topfgroße Pfannefeines SiebGeschirrtuchStandard

Im Voraus Zubereiten

  • Cook beans 2-3 days ahead.
  • Braise meat 2 days ahead.
  • Sauté dill day of or use dried.
  • Rice must be fresh.
  • Complete dish freezes well.

Reheat in covered pot with splash of water.

Freezes well for 3 months.

Servieren Mit

Beilagen

  • Mast-o-khiar
  • Torshi
  • Shirazi salad
  • Plain yogurt

Getränke

  • Doogh
  • Black tea

Ersatzstoffe

black eyed peasNo perfect substitute. Cannellini beans or navy beans are closest in texture. Chickpeas work but are different.
fresh dillDried dill works but fresh is far superior. Use 60g dried for 150g fresh. Don't sauté dried dill.
dried limeOptional but adds authentic tang. Can substitute 1 tbsp lime juice added at end, but different character.
meatLamb or beef cubes, ground meat, or omit entirely for vegetarian.

Skalierung

Scales easily—beans and rice maintain proportions. Popular for large family meals due to economy and heartiness. Freezes well.

Quelle

Traditionell · Traditional home cooking

A nutritious everyday dish. The poetic Persian name 'cheshm bolboli' (nightingale eye) refers to the black spot on the cream-colored bean, resembling the eye of a nightingale.

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