Ash e Anar Recipe; Make Pomegranate Soup in 7 Steps

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The Middle Eastern region has been known for its unique and flavorful dishes for centuries. Persian cuisine is one of the most popular and beloved in this area for its combination of spices, herbs, and vegetables that create a truly unforgettable experience.

One of the most iconic dishes of this cuisine is Ash e Anar, which people across the region have enjoyed for generations. Cooking County will provide readers with an easy step-by-step recipe for this traditional Persian dish. Stay with us to see the easy Ash e Anar recipe.

What is Ash Anar?

Ash Anar (pomegranate soup) is a traditional and hearty dish from Iran. This delicious soup is made with a combination of pomegranates, herbs, and spices. The sourness of the pomegranate juice adds an interesting twist to the otherwise simple ingredients for this comforting comfort food.

This soup has a long history, as it has been mentioned in literature from ancient times. It is believed that Persian royalty enjoyed it as a special treat during their reign in the region centuries ago and many people make it as a Yalda night food. To make pomegranate soup, you will need half-grain rice, pomegranate juice, pomegranate paste, red beans, lentils, green vegetables such as chives, parsley, cilantro, and fried mint, garlic, onion, and meat broth.

How Does Ash Anar Taste?

The key ingredient in Persian pomegranate soup is the pomegranate sauce. It adds an unmistakable sweet-tart flavor to the dish that can’t be found in any other type of soup. The rice gives it a hearty texture, while the herbs add complexity and depth to the overall flavor profile. Additionally, this flavorful offering can be served as an appetizer or main course meal, depending on how it’s prepared.

Different Types of Ashe Anar

Depending on the area, different ingredients are used to manufacture Ash e Anar, which produces a range of final flavors. For instance, meatballs are added to the Ash in Yazd, Shiraz, and Gilan, but not in other places. Pomegranates naturally have a sour taste, so blending their sweet and sour flavors together to create a distinct flavor is an optional step. Grain is another element that may be used to create several kinds of Ash e Anar. You may prepare this dish with split chickpeas or lentils. They seldom prepare it with peas or beans in some areas.

How to Make Ashe Anar?

Ingredients

1 cup half-grain rice
½ cup red beans
½ cup Lentils
½ cup wheat or barley groats
300 grams of green vegetables (chives, parsley, cilantro, fried mint, dill (optional), spinach (optional))
5 onions
1.5 cups pomegranate juice
4 cups meat broth
2 tablespoons pomegranate paste
4 garlic cloves
Salt and black pepper as needed
Turmeric and oil as needed

Directions

Step One

To prepare delicious Ash Anar, first pour beans, rice, and barley or wheat groats into a bowl filled with water several hours before and let them soak well. Next, wash the rice, barley or wheat groats, beans, and lentils and put them in a suitable pot.

Step Two

Add a few glasses of water to the pot and put it on the heat until the ingredients are entirely cooked and crushed. In the meantime, chop the onions, then put a suitable pan on the heat.

Step Three

Add the onions to the pan and fry well until their excess water is drained. Next, add some oil and fry the onions well until they turn golden. Add some turmeric to the onion.

Step Four

Fry the onion a little for a few more minutes so that the onion absorbs the turmeric. Next, remove the hot onion from the pan, cut the garlic into slices, fry them well, and set aside.

Step Five

Coarsely chop the vegetables and set them aside. After the beans and rice are fully cooked, discard their water, then transfer the ingredients to a suitable and spacious pot.

Step Six

Now, add the pomegranate juice to the pot along with the meat juice, pomegranate paste, green vegetables, hot onion and some salt, black pepper, and sumac, and let the soup simmer on a gentle heat. There is no need to put a lid on the pot.

Step Seven

After the soup has settled well, add the fried garlic and let the soup boil a few more times.

Alternative Ingredients of Ashe e Anar Recipe

Yellow Split Peas: Green split peas or even lentils can be substituted if you don’t have any on hand. Remember that there may be a minor variation in the cooking time.
Any long-grain white rice can be substituted for basmati rice. Because of its lovely scent, jasmine rice might also be a great option.
Pomegranate Juice: You may substitute store-bought, ideally sugar-free, pomegranate juice if fresh isn’t available. Cranberry juice can serve as a substitute, providing a comparable level of tartness, but with a somewhat different flavor profile.
Pomegranate Molasses: To give the stew a similar sweet-tart flavor, you may substitute this with a balsamic reduction or a mixture of lemon juice and honey.
Fresh Herbs: Dried herbs can be used if fresh herbs are not readily available. But keep in mind that dried herbs have greater flavor, so just use around 1/3 of the amount.
Saffron: Although it cannot be directly replaced for its distinct flavor, you may add some color and depth with a small amount of paprika and turmeric.

Preparation Tips for Pomegranate Soup

Pre-soak the grains: Pre-soaking the basmati rice and split peas can reduce cooking time and result in a better texture.
Fresh juice: If possible, use freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. It has a superior flavour to the store-bought versions, which can be too sweet or artificially flavoured.
Simmer slowly: Allow the soup to simmer slowly. This will allow the flavours to meld together and the split peas and rice to soften perfectly.
Saffron: To maximise the flavour of saffron, grind it into a powder and dissolve it in a small amount of hot water before adding it to the dish.

How to Serve Ash Anar?

Your Ash Anar is ready! Pour the soup into the desired dish and garnish with fried garlic, fried mint, and fried onion and serve!

The good news is, that this dish is totally vegetarian. So, if you like Ash-e anar vegeterian, there is no need to look for another recipe.

Remember to make this pomegranate soup recipe and share it with us. If you also have any related questions about the Ash-e Anar recipe, please do not hesitate to ask.

Storage Tips for Ash Anar Recipe

Refrigeration: You may keep leftover Ash-e Anar for up to three or four days in the refrigerator by placing it in an airtight container.
Freezing: Ash-e Anar can be frozen if you wish to prepare a big amount and save some for later. Spoon the chilled stew into freezer-safe jars and place in the freezer. It keeps for two to three months in the freezer.
Reheating: If it was frozen, defrost it in the refrigerator overnight. Bring it back to a simmer over medium heat, thinned up with a little water if needed.

Nutrition Facts of Ash Anar

61 kcal per 100gr makes Ash e Anar a low-calorie food. It contains 1.45 grams of protein, 1.36 grams of fat, and 10.98 grams of carbs. It is difficult to locate vitamin K in other meals, as it contains 126 mg of it. In addition, it contains 5.84 mg of vitamin C, 5.37 mg of vitamin B4, and several additional vitamins, including vitamin A, all forms of B vitamins, and vitamin E.

It also has 15.51 mg of magnesium, 25.64 mg of phosphorus, 159.72 mg of potassium, 152 mg of sodium, and 22.93 mg of calcium. It is also rich in other vital minerals and vitamins.

FAQs About Ash e Anar Recipe

How much time does it take to prepare Ash Anar?

Ash Anar takes about 3 hours to get ready.

What is Ash Anar?

Ash Anar (pomegranate soup) is a traditional and hearty dish from Iran. This delicious tart and sweet soup is made with a combination of pomegranates, herbs, and spices. The sourness of the pomegranate juice adds an interesting twist to the otherwise simple ingredients for this comforting comfort food.

What are the ingredients in Ash Anar?

This dish’s main ingredient is pomegranate juice, which gives it its signature flavor. Other ingredients include onions, garlic cloves, chicken or vegetable stock cubes, dried lentils such as red split lentils or yellow split peas, and various herbs and spices for seasoning.