KitchgrowKitchen growth, made calmer
Start planning free
Persian

Adas Polo (Persian Lentil and Raisin Rice)

A comforting Persian lentil rice with sweet raisins, dates, warm spices, and fluffy basmati rice.

Published and reviewed by Kitchgrow on 6 September 2026Updated

Jump to recipe ↓
Adas Polo (Persian Lentil and Raisin Rice)

1 hrtotal

Prep 15 min · Cook 45 min

Serves
2
Difficulty
Easy
Spice
Mild
Add to your week

Ingredients

Quantities are for 2 servings.

You'll need: Stovetop.

About an hour. The lentils and rice are cooked separately and only meet for the final steam, which is what keeps the grains distinct.

Method

  1. Cook the rinsed lentils in water until just tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.

  2. Boil the rinsed rice in salted water until the grains are just firm in the center, then drain well.

  3. Heat olive oil in a pan and cook the onion until golden.

  4. Add raisins, chopped dates, cinnamon, cumin, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir briefly until the raisins look glossy.

  5. Layer the drained rice with cooked lentils and the raisin-date mixture in a clean pot.

  6. Drizzle saffron water over the top, cover tightly, and steam on low heat until the rice is fluffy.

  7. Gently fluff before serving so the lentils and sweet garnish stay visible.

How to tell it's done

The rice should be fluffy, the lentils tender but visible, and the raisins soft and glossy.

Getting it right

Tip

Keep the lentils slightly firm before steaming; they will soften more inside the rice.

What to serve it with

Serve with plain yogurt, cucumber salad, or a simple herb plate.

Common mistakes

The rice is soft and clumped rather than fluffy.
Boil it only until the grains still have a firm centre, then drain thoroughly. It finishes cooking in the covered steam, and rice boiled to done first turns to porridge in that stage.
The lentils break down into the rice.
Cook them separately and stop while they still hold their shape. Adas polo should show whole lentils through the rice, and there is no way back once they have split.

Substitutions

  • Whole Brown Lentils can be replaced with green lentils; avoid red lentils because they become too soft.
  • Dates can be skipped for a less sweet version.
  • Use Ghee instead of Olive Oil if preferred, but then update dairy allergen status if your local rules require it.

Storing and reheating

Keeps three days in the fridge. Reheat covered with a splash of water so it steams rather than dries. It freezes for two months, though the rice softens. Fluff gently each time to keep the layers visible.