Recipe for ‘Lubya Polou’

Now this is one of my favourite Persian rice dishes. How do I know how to make this dear reader? Only By watching Minoo in the kitchen (after all my real talent lies in eating Persian food rather than cooking it..).

‘Lubya Polou’ (Persian Green Bean Rice)

Ingredients

1 can of chopped tomatoes

400 grams green beans, sliced into about half-finger lengths (Wait, that’s not very scientific it depends how big your fingers are..).

600 grams rice washed and drained in a colander (The Beech family swears by basmati- despite the recent price rise we are rice addicts..)

500 grams minced beef (in Iran diced meat seems more popular, me, I prefer minced beef)

1 large finely diced onion

Teaspoon of Turmeric

Teaspoon of Cinnamon

Half a teaspoon of saffron

Cooking oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Fry minced beef and chopped onions for about seven to ten minutes on a high heat, stirring all the while. Add turmeric, cinnamon, saffron and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the chopped tomatoes and green beans, cook mixture for another five minutes or so.

At the same time par-boil basmati rice in a separate large non-stick pan. (This is a bit of an art- use about one measure of water to a measure of rice so it does not go mushy). When par-boiled remove rice from pan and pour a little oil to cover base. Put pan back on the cooker to heat up the oil.

Put rice and meat mixture back into the large pan. Now this is the technical bit… Add the ingredients a layer at a time. A layer of rice, a layer of mixture, get the idea? (This is to avoid mashing the rice).

Use a clean cloth to cover the top of the pan, put the lid back on the pan, and cook on a very low heat for about forty minutes. When ready ‘flip back’ the rice on to a serving dish. (I know this is a risky procedure).It should theoretically pop out in a nice pan shape with a crust of fried rice the Iranians call ‘tah diq’. Serve hot with salad.

Is Religion The Opposite Of Spirituality?

In certain quarters ‘Religion’ has come to mean the opposite of ‘Spirituality-’ the observance of out-dated law as opposed to spiritual development. A quick search on WordPress.com is sufficient to get an overview of this particular debate. The question is- are these two concepts truly the opposites that some points of view suggest?

As explained by Bahá’u'lláh the rationale of our existence is to express those virtues that comprise the very essence of our being. Bahá’u'lláh referred to the human being as a “mine rich in gems of inestimable value”. However these virtues can only be developed successfully with the guidance of a Divine Educator, as it is not possible with our limited perspective to understand the will of a transcendent God.

Thus over the millennia humanity has been guided by Divine Educators including Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad and Bahá’u'lláh. The guidance that each has brought has been both timeless in reiterating key spiritual teachings but also contemporary in revealing laws relevant to that particular age-

“…is not the object of every Revelation to effect a transformation in the whole character of mankind, a transformation that shall manifest itself both outwardly and inwardly, that shall affect both its inner life and external conditions”?

- Bahá’u'lláh The Kitáb-i-Íqán, US Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1989 pocket-size edition Page: 257

I would suggest that following the teachings of Bahá’u'lláh unites both the ‘form’ of religion and the ‘content’ of spirituality. This is because of the appropriateness of the social guidance to the age in which we live.

In the words of Bahá’u'lláh-

“Think not that We have revealed unto you a mere code of laws. Nay, rather, We have unsealed the choice Wine with the fingers of might and power. To this beareth witness that which the Pen of Revelation hath revealed. Meditate upon this, O men of insight”!

- Bahá’u'lláh- The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bahá’í World Centre, 1992 edition

 

‘God Passes By’

In our small town in England we have just commemorated the 116th anniversary of the passing of Baha’u'llah. We gathered together with our friends to say prayers and reflect on this most poignant of Bahá’í Holy Days.

A thought that occurs to me is that there seems to be a comparison between the description of the passing of Baha’u'llah and that of the Buddha (whom Bahá’í s also revere as a Divine Educator or ‘Manifestation of God’).

The passing of Baha’u'llah is described in the following terms-

“Six days before He passed away He summoned to His presence, as He lay in bed leaning against one of His sons, the entire company of believers, including several pilgrims, who had assembled in the Mansion, for what proved to be their last audience with Him. “I am well pleased with you all,” He gently and affectionately addressed the weeping crowd that gathered about Him. “Ye have rendered many services, and been very assiduous in your labors. Ye have come here every morning and every evening. May God assist you to remain united. May He aid you to exalt the Cause of the Lord of being.”

‘God Passes By’ Shoghi Effendi, US Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1979 second printing Pages: 412

Compare this with a following description of the passing of the Buddha-

“For a long time, Ananda, have you waited on The Tathgata with a kind, devoted, cheerful, single-hearted, unstinted service of body, with a kind, devoted, cheerful, single-hearted, unstinted service of voice, with a kind, devoted, cheerful, single-hearted, unstinted service of mind. You have acquired much merit, Ananda; exert yourself, and soon will you be free from all depravity.”

The Death of the Buddha, translated from the Mah-Parinibbna-Sutta (v. and vi.) of the Dgha-Nikya: Buddhist Writings. The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

What shines through for me in these descriptions is the generosity and humility of these Divine Teachers in acknowledging the service of their followers. One of the reasons perhaps, that the Divine Educators are remembered with prayer and devotion; while the demise of ten-thousand haughty warlords and kings and are but a mere list of dates on Wikipedia. 

Minoo’s Recipe For ‘Khoresht-e-Bademjan’

This is a kind of Iranian aubergine (egg plant) casserole which Minoo makes for some of our Bahá’í meetings (notably Naw-Ruz).

This dish should serve about 5-6 people.

Ingredients

5 medium-sized aubergines

1 pound lamb or beef cut into cubes (we like chicken as well)

1 large onion chopped into thin slices

1 can chopped-tomatoes

Dried limes (or lime juice)

A pinch of turmeric

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1) Peel the aubergines and remove the stem. Slice lengthwise, sprinkle with a little salt and leave in a sieve to drain.

2) Fry the aubergine in a little oil until it begins to turn brown.  Turn off heat and allow to stand.

3) Fry the meat and onions over a moderate heat until they turn golden-brown, adding the turmeric and salt and pepper (to taste). 

 4) Add water (about half a cup), chopped tomatoes, and limes. Cook on a medium-low heat for about 45 minutes.

 5) Put the aubergine in a single layer in an oven dish. Pour the meat and tomatoes over the aubergine and cover with foil, cook in a medium oven for about an hour

6) Serve hot with Iranian-style rice (basmati is good).

Is it any surprise I have put on so much weight since I got married..?

P.S Minoo just reminded me- if you are using dried limes instead of lime juice, remove them before serving-they are only meant to add flavour to the dish whilst cooking.