How to Make Persian Tahchin

By Unicorns in the Kitchen · 180 min

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Grind the saffron with a pestle and mortar, sprinkle it over the ice cubes in a bowl or cup, and let it melt completely. This is the bloomed saffron.
2. Heat the olive oil in a pan and cook the sliced onion for 5 to 10 minutes until tender and slightly golden.
3. Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and add to the onion with the turmeric, paprika and salt. Cook for about 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. If you like, add 1 tablespoon of the bloomed saffron. Turn off the heat and set aside.
4. Rinse the rice several times. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season it generously with kosher salt.
5. Add the rice to the boiling water and cook for 8 minutes, until soft on the outside but still firm inside. Drain in a colander and set aside.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush the bottom of a 9x9 inch baking pan with oil.
7. In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, oil, eggs and salt until combined. Stir in the bloomed saffron, then gently fold in the parboiled rice.
8. Spread half the rice mixture in the pan, top with the chicken and onion, then add the remaining rice mixture and spread it evenly over the chicken.
9. Cover with aluminum foil, poke holes in the foil with a toothpick, and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. It is ready when the bottom is golden brown, the top is slightly golden and dry, and a toothpick inserted into the rice comes out clean.
10. Let the tahchin cool for 10 to 20 minutes.
11. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat, then add the vegetable oil. Add the barberries and stir until coated. Stir in the sugar and rose water and cook for a minute or two until the barberries look shiny.
12. Once the tahchin is cool enough to handle, loosen the sides with a knife or spatula. Place a platter over the pan, flip it quickly and confidently, then top with the barberries, slivered almonds and slivered pistachios.

Summarized from Unicorns in the Kitchen's video. Watch it for the details.

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