Chelow kabab

Chelow kabab (Persian: چلوکباب) is the national dish of Iran. The meal is simple, consisting of steamed, saffroned basmati or Persian rice (chelow) and kabab, of which there are several distinct Persian varieties. This dish is served throughout Iran today, but was traditionally associated with the northern part of the country.

Chelow kabab is served with the basic Iranian meal accompaniments, in addition to grilled tomatoes on the side of the rice, and butter on top of the rice. Somagh (powdered sumac) is also made available, and can be sprinkled on the rice. It is an old northern tradition (probably originating in Tabriz) that a raw egg yolk be placed on top of the rice, though this is strictly optional and no longer common. In fact, unless specifically requested, most restaurants will not serve the rice this way due to safety concerns surrounding the consumption of raw eggs.

In the old bazaar tradition, the rice (which is covered with a tin lid) and accompaniments are served first, immediately followed by the kababs, which are brought to the table by the waiter, who holds several skewers in his left hand, and a piece of flat bread (typically nan-e lavash) in his right. A skewer is placed directly on the rice and while holding the kabab down on the rice with the bread, the skewer is quickly pulled out. With the two most common kababs, barg and koobideh, two skewers are always served. In general, bazaar kabab restaurants only serve these two varieties, though there are exceptions. A combination of one barg and one koobideh is typically called a soltani, meaning "for the sultan".

The traditional beverage of choice to accompany chelow kabab is doogh, a Persian sour yoghurt drink, flavored with salt and mint, and sometimes made with carbonated water.

Varieties

• Kabab Barg (Lamb Fillet Kebab)
• Kabab Koobideh or Kubideh (Made with Minced Lamb)
• Sheesh Kabab (Shishlik or Shish Kebab)
• Joojeh Kabab (Grilled Poussin Kebab)
• Tas Kabab (Grilled Meat & Stew)
• Kabab Chenjeh (Lamb Chop Kebab)
• Mahi Kabab (Grilled White Fish)

See also

• Nan-e kabab
• Cuisine of Iran
• Kabab Koobideh
• Kabab Barg
• Polow

External links

• Chelo Kabab
• History of Chelo Kabab
• Chelow Kababs Photos