Albaloo Polo
Persian Sour Cherry Rice with Meatballs
A beloved Persian dish, Albaloo Polo features fragrant basmati rice layered with a vibrant, sweet-sour sour cherry compote and tender, spiced meatballs. The result is a beautiful, jewel-toned rice dish perfect for special occasions.
🧂 Ingredients
- 3 cups Basmati rice(Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear, then soak in warm, salted water for at least 30 minutes.)
- 400 g Sour cherries(Fresh or frozen. If using frozen, do not thaw beforehand. Pitted.)
- 100-150 g Granulated sugar(Adjust to your preferred level of sweetness. Start with 100g and add more if needed.)
- 300 g Ground beef(Or ground lamb for a richer flavor.)
- 1 tsp Saffron threads(Crushed and bloomed in 2 tbsp hot water for at least 10 minutes.)
- 1 medium Onion(Finely grated or minced.)
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1/4 tsp Cardamom powder(Optional, for meatballs.)
- 3-4 tbsp Vegetable oil or Ghee(For cooking.)
- 1 tbsp Rose water(Optional, for the cherry compote, adds floral aroma.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Sour Cherry Compote: In a medium saucepan, combine the sour cherries and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cherries release their juices, about 5-7 minutes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cherries have softened slightly and the liquid has thickened into a syrupy consistency. Stir in the bloomed saffron and optional rose water. Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 2
Prepare the Meatballs: In a bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, turmeric, salt, pepper, and optional cardamom powder. Mix gently until just combined; do not overwork the meat. Form into small, bite-sized meatballs (about 1-inch diameter). Heat 1-2 tbsp of oil or ghee in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning to ensure they are seared on all sides. They don't need to be cooked through at this stage. Remove from skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 3
Parboil the Rice: Drain the soaked rice. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil (about 8-10 cups of water). Add the drained rice and boil for 5-7 minutes, or until the grains are slightly softened but still firm to the bite (al dente). The grains should elongate. Drain the rice thoroughly in a fine-mesh sieve.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Assemble the Polo: In the same large pot (cleaned if necessary), heat 1 tbsp of oil or ghee over medium heat. Add a layer of parboiled rice to the bottom of the pot, pressing down gently. You can optionally add a layer of thinly sliced potatoes or lavash bread here for a crispy tahdig (rice crust). Layer the remaining rice, alternating with spoonfuls of the sour cherry compote. Create distinct layers of rice and cherries. Make sure to reserve some of the cherry compote for garnishing. Gently tuck the browned meatballs into the rice layers.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Steam the Polo: Cover the pot tightly with a lid, placing a clean kitchen towel underneath the lid to absorb excess steam and prevent water from dripping onto the rice. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, until you see steam escaping from the sides. Reduce the heat to low and continue to steam for 45-60 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and fluffy. The bottom layer should form a golden crust (tahdig) if potatoes or bread were used.
⏱️ 50-60 minutes - 6
Serve: Gently fluff the rice with a fork. Serve the Albaloo Polo hot, garnished with the reserved sour cherry compote and the meatballs. The vibrant red cherries and fluffy rice create a stunning visual presentation.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The balance of sweet and sour is key to authentic Albaloo Polo. Adjust sugar and cherry quantity to your preference.
- ✓For a richer flavor, use ghee instead of vegetable oil.
- ✓Don't skip blooming the saffron; it releases its full aroma and color.
- ✓The tahdig (crispy rice crust) is a highly prized part of Persian rice dishes. Potatoes or lavash bread can be used to achieve it.
- ✓This dish is often served during Nowruz (Persian New Year) and other celebrations.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Albaloo Polo can be made without meatballs for a vegetarian option.
- Substitute ground chicken or turkey for the beef.
- Add slivered pistachios and almonds to the cherry compote for extra texture and flavor.