Name: Yagut palau (Pomegranate rice)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Afghan
Ingredients: 1 garlic clove, chopped; 1 pomegranate, seeds separated, to garnish; 150 ml (5 fl oz) coconut water, vegetable stock or water; 150 ml (5 fl oz) good-quality pomegranate juice (see tip); 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 spring onions (scallions), finely chopped; 1 teaspoon aleppo pepper; 400 g (14 oz/2 cups) white or brown basmati rice; 100 ml (3½ fl oz) virgin coconut oil; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; ½ teaspoon ground turmeric; 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

Preparation info

Serves
4

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
40 min

Appears in

Lands of the Curry Leaf

By Peter Kuruvita

Published 2018

About

The Koran mentions the pomegranate as one of the fruits found in paradise, and medical research suggests it may help those wanting to extend their stay in this world. Rich in antioxidants, the pomegranate is promoted in the West as a defence against prostate cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.

We had a few pomegranate trees in our gardens in Sri Lanka, and whenever someone had a bruise, my aunties would quickly blanch the leaves to soften them, and then apply a bandage filled