Lubia Polo

Ingredients

• Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped)
• Dried cranberries (1/4 cup)
• Slivered almonds (1/4 cup, toasted)
• Saffron (1/4 teaspoon, dissolved in 2 tablespoons of hot water)
• Water (3 cups)
• Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon)
• Cumin (1 teaspoon)
• Turmeric (1 teaspoon)
• Tomato paste (2 tablespoons)
• Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
• Onion (1 large, finely chopped)
• Ground beef (1 pound)
• Green beans (1 pound, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces)
• Basmati rice (2 cups)

Instructions

1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in cold water for 30 minutes, then drain.
2. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until golden brown.
3. Add the ground beef to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
4. Stir in the tomato paste, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, until fragrant.
5. Add the green beans to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add the drained rice to the pot and stir well to combine with the meat and green beans.
7. Pour in the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
8. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
9. Drizzle the saffron water over the rice and gently fluff it with a fork to distribute the saffron.
10. Transfer the Lubia Polo to a serving dish and garnish with toasted slivered almonds, dried cranberries, and chopped fresh parsley.
11. Serve hot and enjoy!