Bhagali Polo-Persian Dill and Lima Bean Rice

My husband and I first had this at a persian restaurant in California.This has always been our favorite ever since.This preparation resembles the preparation of Indian Biryani,but can also be prepared day to day in a simplified fashion.

Ingredients:
1 cup white basmati rice or white rice
4 oz frozen baby green lima beans
1/2-1 teaspoon salt as per taste
pinch saffron threads
1 cup onions cut lengthwise(optional)
3 teaspoons oil
1 cup fresh chopped dill

Procedure:
1.Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a pan and saute the onions until slightly brown.

2.Add the lima beans and saute for 2-3 minutes.

3.Add the chopped dill leaves and saute for 1 minute.

4.Transfer the contents to a rice cooker, add 2 cups of water, salt and rice and mix. Let cook until the rice is almost done(ie rice should not be completely cooked).The  below steps are for presentation and extra flavor but if you want to have the rice as is just cook the rice all the way through.

5.In a bowl mix 2 teaspoons of hot water,2 teaspoons of oil and pinch of saffron threads and keep aside.

6.In a deep pan take the cooked lima bean rice and layer upto 1 inch of rice in the bottom. Now add the saffron mixture and cover it with more rice and let roast on a low flame for about 30 minutes. Do not stir. This is to form a crispy layer of rice called Tahdig.

7.Turn off the stove. Take a plate and invert it on the pan and invert the pan so that the rice falls on the plate. Serve Hot.

Tips:
This can be served with greek yogurt raitha
This can be served with a persian powder called sumac powder.