Bottom Of The Pot: Persian Recipes and Stories

Naz Deravian · Bottom Of The Pot: Persian Recipes and Stories

Chelo is Iran’s culinary gift to rice lovers worldwide. This is the traditional two-step method of rice preparation - parboil the rice and drain, add enough oil to the bottom of the pot to turn out (fingers crossed) a crispy, crunchy tahdig, add the rice back to the pot and steam. The result has the tell-tale signs of lovingly prepared Persian rice: long, individual, fragrant, saffron-stained grains of rice, scattered like jewels across a platter with pieces of golden, crispy tahdig shining alongside. I save this method of rice preparation for the weekend and when entertaining.