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Zereshk Polo Morgh (Barberry Rice with Chicken)

Name: Zereshk Polo Morgh (Barberry Rice with Chicken)
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Persian
Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken pieces; 2 cups basmati rice; 1/2 cup dried barberries (zereshk); 1 onion; 1/4 tsp saffron; 3 tbsp butter; 1 tsp sugar; 1 tsp turmeric; salt to taste; 1/2 tsp black pepper

Zereshk Polo Morgh (Barberry Rice with Chicken) reads sweetness 6.3, richness 6.2 and fruity 6.1 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Persian main, about 25 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.

The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10

Umami & Savory — 3.6 / 10
Sweet & Fruity — 8.1 / 10
Sour & Bright — 1.4 / 10
Bitter & Earthy — 2.0 / 10
Rich & Fat — 6.3 / 10
Aromatic & Spice — 3.9 / 10

The measured notes (of 18)

Sweetness 6.3 · Richness 6.2 · Fruity 6.1 · Allium 3.5 · Umami 3.3 · Salinity 3.1 · Floral 2.8 · Earthy 1.7 · Warm Spice 1.6 · Bitterness 1.6 · Sourness 1.4 · Heat 1.0 · Herbaceous 0.7

What's in it (10)

2 lbs chicken pieces
2 cups basmati rice
1/2 cup dried barberries (zereshk)
1 onion
1/4 tsp saffron
3 tbsp butter
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp turmeric
salt to taste
1/2 tsp black pepper

Time & effort: about 25 min · effort: medium

Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 218.2 kcal, 20.1 g protein, 4.3 g fat, 24.9 g carbs

Dietary: Contains meat · Contains dairy — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.

How it's cooked (2 steps)

Braise chicken with onion, turmeric, and saffron until tender and golden.
Cook rice using the Persian drain-and-steam method to achieve fluffy grains. Sauté barberries briefly in butter with a pinch of sugar to plump them, then layer over the rice and serve alongside the chicken.

Dishes with a similar flavor shape

Bubble and Squeak — British
Rumaniyya (Lentils, Aubergine and Pomegranate) — Palestinian
Töltött Paprika (Stuffed Peppers) — Hungarian
Harra Isbaoo (Lentils, Pasta and Pomegranate Molasses) — Syrian
Japanese Chicken Curry — Japanese

Keep reading: what sweetness, richness, fruity mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.

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Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.