Lubia Polou (Persian Green Beans with Rice)

This recipe is my own amalgamation of a couple of different recipes from a stack of different

sources. I really like green beans so finding a dish based on them was perfect for me. It's

traditionally made with lamb or beef mince but I really like using chicken mince instead. This

can also be made without the meat entirely for a hearty vegetarian meal.

Ingredients                                   Serves: 6

2 cups long grain or basmati rice (uncooked)
500g chicken breast mince
2 medium onions (choped)
1.5 tbsp garlic (freshly chopped cloves)
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp ginger (freshly ground/minced)
500g fresh green beans (trimmed and chopped to 1 inch pieces)
1/2 tsp ground cardamom pods
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 tbsp coarsely ground black peppercorns
1 tbsp cinnamon
400g tinned tomato
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
salt
vegetable oil

Preparation


Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 40 minutes

1.Wash the rice then cook in salted water until firm but not soft (approximately 8-10mins). Drain
and set aside.

2.While the rice is cooking heat some oil in a large stock pot and saute the chopped onions over
medium heat until they begin to soften.

3.Turn the heat up to medium-high then add the freshly chopped garlic and the mince. Fry until the
meat is lightly (but not fully) cooked.

4.Add the minced ginger and the tomato paste and stir through thoroughly, then add the green beans
and all the spices (cardamom, cumin, nutmeg, turmeric, coriander, cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon).

5.Reduce the heat to medium and add the tinned tomato. Continue to stir until this is simmering,
then add the lime juice.

6.Continue to simmer vigorously (adjusting the temperature accordingly), stirring gently for 30
minutes or until the beans are cooked. The lubia polou should have thickened by now, though if it
is too thick you can add water as you go.

7.Stir through cooked and drained rice and continue to heat for 5 minutes over medium-low heat.

Serve as is or with sauteed greens on the side. ENJOY!