Sabzi Plov

SABZI GOVURMA PLOV (Herb Pilaf)
Pilaf is the signature dish of Azerbaijani cuisine. It is usually served on special occasions and known in Azerbaijan as Ash or Plov.  Azerbaijani cuisine has dozens of different types of pilaf, one of which is Sabzi Plov (Herb Pilaf.)
The word “sabzi” in the name of the dish came into Azerbaijani language from Iran. In the Persian language, “sabzi” means “green,” and it can refer to either herbs or vegetables. In Azerbaijan, Sabzi Pilaf is prepared with green herbs. The main herb used in Sabzi Pilaf called “Kever,” it is Azerbaijani name for “Chinese Leeks” or “Garlic Chives”. The flavor of this exotic herb is more like garlic than chives, and is widely used not only in Оriental cuisine, but also in Middle Eastern cuisine. Without kever, Sabzi pilaf will lose its unique taste.

*A full-sized picture of this dish is available in the Gallery.

Ingredients for 4 servings:
for pilaf
2 cups long-grain (Basmati) rice (cup size 250 ml)
1 quart (1 liter) water + 1 tbsp salt for soaking rice
3 quarts (3 liter) water + 3 tbsp salt for cooking rice
8 oz (225 g) clarified unsalted butter
for sabzi
1½ lb (700 g) lamb or beef
1 large size onion
3 bunches of kever (garlic chives)
1 bunch of cilantro
1 bunch of dill
1 bunch of parsley
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons clarified unsalted butter
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:
Preparing Pilaf.
1. Rinse the rice thoroughly in cold water several times until the water stays clear, to remove excess starch. Then, soak the rice overnight (or at least for 3 hours) in salty water for a truly great, fluffy, and evenly cooked rice. Before cooking the rice, pour out the water straining the rice with a colander.
2. Fill a pot (or saucepan) with water, add salt, and bring it to a boil. Place the rice into the boiling water. Stir, lower the heat to medium, and let it cook for 5-10 minutes (depending on the quality of your rice). Cooked rice should be soft on the outside and hard inside.
3. Strain the rice using a colander, rinse with a hot water, to wash out an extra salt, and move the rice into a pot.
4. Melt two tablespoons of butter in a saucepan and place lavash (tortilla) on the butter. Place a layer of the rice (approximately a quarter of it) on top of the qazmaq and pour 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter on top. Then, follow up with another layer of rice and more butter. Repeat the procedure with all your rice. On the last layer, you can pour the saffron infusion on top along with more butter. Make some air holes in the surface with the handle of a wooden spoon to allow steam to escape.
5. Wrap the lid of the pot in a tea towel and cover the rice. Cook over a very low heat for about 45-60 minutes. Put a heat diffuser (or a pan) under your pot to prevent burning.
Cooked rice will soak up the butter and turn fluffy and soft.

Preparing Sabzi Govurma (the meat and herbs).
1. Cut the meat into small pieces. Add 2 tablespoons of clarified butter in a saucepan, and cook meat over medium-high heat until lightly brown on all sides. Then, add approximately 1/2 cup of water and season the meat with a salt and pepper.

Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer over medium-low heat until the meat is cooked. Stir the meat occasionally to prevent it from burning.

2. Wash all the herbs and pat them dry with a towel to remove all water before cooking. Chop the herbs (not too finely), but before chopping the parsley, cilantro and dill, separate the small stems with leafy tops from the hard, lower stems.

3. Peel the onion, cut it in half, and slice it into thin half-rings. In a separate frying pan, melt one tablespoon of butter and fry the onion until it is lightly golden.

4. Add the onion, herbs, and lemon juice to the cooked meat and mix them together. Simmer until the herbs are tender and cooked.

Serve Sabzi Plov on a large plate and garnish with meat and herbs.

Bon Appétit! Enjoy!

This post is also available in: Russian