How to prepare barberry with beautiful colored saffron

Barshak pilaf with saffron Majlesi chicken

Barshak pilaf with saffron chicken is one of the most popular Iranian dishes; A combination of grainy rice, sour and colorful barberry, tender chicken and fragrant saffron sauce, which is considered an excellent choice for parties and special occasions. The secret of the deliciousness of this dish is the use of high-quality saffron and the slow cooking of chicken in a special sauce.

Necessary ingredients for 4 people

Rice: 3 cups

Chicken: 4 pieces

Barberry: 1 cup

Onions: 2 medium ones

Thick brewed saffron: 4 tablespoons

Sugar: 1 to 2 tablespoons

Tomato paste: 1 tablespoon

Butter: 50 grams

Oil: as much as needed

Salt, black pepper and turmeric: as much as needed

Lemon juice or water: 1 tablespoon, if desired

Pistachio or almond slices: for decoration, if desired

How to prepare barberry pilaf with saffron chicken

1. Prepare the chicken:
First, season the chicken pieces with a little salt, black pepper and turmeric. Cut the onions into slices and fry them with a little oil until golden. Add the chickens and fry them slightly on both sides.

2. Chicken cooking:
Add the tomato paste to the chicken and fry a little until it changes color. Then add some water, half of the boiled saffron and a little lemon juice or water if desired. Put the pot in the pot and let the chicken cook for about 45 to 60 minutes on low heat until the sauce becomes thick and colorful.

3. Prepare the rice:
Pre-soak the rice with water and salt. Then pour in boiling water and drain when the rice grains are soft but their kernels are a little hard. Pour oil on the bottom of the pot and place your desired pan. Pour the rice into the pot and let it brew for about 45 minutes.

4. Prepare barberry:
Clean and wash the barberry. Melt the butter in a pan over low heat and add the barberry. Add sugar and fry for only 1 to 2 minutes. At the end, add some brewed saffron. Do not heat the barberry too much so that it does not dry and darken.

5. Serving barberry pilaf:
Mix some boiled rice with saffron. Put the white rice in a dish and decorate it with saffron rice and barberry. Place the saffron chickens next to the rice and serve the thick and colorful chicken sauce on it or in a separate dish.

Important tips for barberry pilo majlisi

To have a nice colored saffron chicken, add thick brewed saffron to the chicken in the final stages of cooking.

Do not fry barberry with high heat; High heat makes it bitter.

Adding a little sugar to the barberry balances its sourness and creates a more festive taste.

For better aroma and taste, you can put some butter on the rice while brewing.

It is better to use saffron in a thick brew to increase the color and aroma of the food.

Barshak pilaf with saffron chicken is ready; Colorful, fragrant and eye-catching food that can be the star of your party table.