Persian Basmati Rice with Lima Bean & Fresh Spring Dill

As part of my heritage I feel like it is my duty to share one of the most favourite people's dishes from my home land with you. Since it is our new year, it's the best time to introduce this dish that is very popular in Iran, and you know what is so unique about? You can served it with either Fish, Chicken or Lamb. Sorry, I can't tell you which one is better or is my favourite because I love them all and I can swear you feel the same once you try it. TRUST ME!!! ;-)

                                                                                                        
Ingredients:

• • 3 cups long-grain basmati rice
  • 2 pounds fresh or 1 pound frozen Lima beans
  • 2 tablespoons sea salt
  • 1/4 cup rose water
  • 1 teaspoon ground saffron
  • 1 cup canola oil or clarified brown butter
  • 1/2 cup yogurt
  • 6 cups fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 5 garlic thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Cook the meat: Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat in a large Dutch oven. In a small bowl, mix together 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, turmeric, and flour. Lightly dredge lamb shanks in salt mixture, shaking off excess. Add to Dutch oven and cook lamb on all sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
3. Add remaining 3 tablespoons oil to Dutch oven; add onions and garlic; cook, stirring, until soft and translucent. Place saffron and sugar cube in a mortar and add rose water; using a pestle, grind until dissolved. Transfer saffron-rose water mixture to Dutch oven along with honey, orange zest, lime juice, remaining 2 teaspoons salt, remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and advieh; cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
4. Return lamb shanks to Dutch oven; add 1 cup water and cover. Transfer to oven and bake for 2 hours. Turn lamb shanks and re-cover; continue baking until lamb is tender and falling off the bone, about 1 hour more. Remove from oven and keep warm until ready to serve.
5. Make the rice: Place rice in a large bowl and add enough warm water to cover; drain and repeat process 4 more times. Set rice aside. If using fresh fava beans, shell and remove outer layer of skin; if using frozen, soak in warm water and remove second skin. Set aside.
6. Bring 8 cups water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil in a large nonstick saucepan. Add rinsed rice, cardamom pods, and 2 tablespoons rose water; let boil, gently stirring to loosen grains of rice that have adhered to the bottom, until rice is soft and has risen to the surface, about 8 minutes. Drain in a large fine mesh sieve and rinse with 2 cups water; reserve saucepan.
7. Place saffron in a mortar and add rose water; using a pestle, grind until dissolved. In a large bowl, mix together 1/2 cup oil and milk, 1 teaspoon saffron-rose water mixture, and 2 1/2 cups drained rice. Spread mixture over the bottom of saucepan, pressing with a spatula to make even. Add fava beans, dill, and chopped green garlic to remaining rice in colander; toss to combine. Using a spatula, gently transfer to saucepan, forming a mound. Sprinkle with remaining saffron-rosewater mixture; cover and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
8. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together remaining 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup warm water; pour over rice mixture in saucepan. Top with knotted green garlic and season with salt. Wrap the lid of the saucepan with a clean kitchen towel and cover saucepan firmly to prevent steam from escaping. Decrease heat to low and cook for 70 minutes. Remove from heat and place saucepan on rimmed baking sheet lined with a damp kitchen towel; let cool for 10 minutes. Do not uncover.
9. Uncover and remove knotted garlic; set aside. Using a wooden spatula, loosen the crust from the bottom of the saucepan. Place a large platter over the top of the saucepan; invert saucepan to remove rice. Garnish rice with knotted garlic and serve with lamb, yogurt and bitter orange.