Persian pilaf & roasted root loaves

These vibrant individual pistachio nut roasts with honeyed pomegranate and harissa tomato sauce can also be made as one impressive centrepiece loaf

Prep:40 mins
Cook:2 hrs 40 mins

Serves 8
A challenge

Nutrition per serving

kcal 550
fat 20g
saturates 3g
carbs 69g
sugars 36g
fibre 15g
protein 16g
salt 0.6g

Ingredients

200g carrots, peeled and cut into 1-2cm chunks
200g sweet potatoes, peeled and diced like the carrots
200g parsnips, peeled and diced like the carrots too
3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing
1 red onion, finely chopped
pinch of saffron
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp cumin seeds
225g paella rice
550-600ml vegetable stock
100g dried apricots, diced
400g can chickpeas, drained - optional (good for bulking the mixture if you want to feed another mouth)
150g shelled pistachios
2 large eggs, beaten with a fork
handful coriander leaves
500g tub Greek yogurt, to serve
couscous and green salad, to serve
400g can chopped tomatoes
500g carton passata
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
1 tbsp harissa paste
500g chantenay carrots, scrubbed
500g baby beetroots
250-300g small shallots, peeled and halved
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp cumin seeds
3 tbsp pomegranate molasses
zest and juice 1 orange
150g pomegranate seeds

Tip

How to present it as a whole loaf

Make the loaf mix as above to the start of step 4, but when you combine the ingredients, only stir through two-thirds of the roasted veg, and once mixed press the mix into a 900g greased and lined large loaf tin. Bake, covered with foil, for an hour at the temperature above, then turn out upside down, topping with reserved veg, pistachios, and apricots.

Method

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Toss the carrot chunks, sweet potato and parsnip with 2 tbsp of the oil on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven until golden and tender – about 20-25 mins.
Meanwhile put the last tbsp of oil in a deep frying or sauté pan with the onion, and cook gently for around 8-10 mins to soften. Stir in the saffron and rice, then stir in the stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat so the rice is gently simmering and cook, stirring occasionally for 25 mins or until the rice is tender and stock just absorbed – like a paella. Stir in the cinnamon, coriander and both types of cumin, plus the chopped apricots and take off the heat. Leave to cool with the roasted veg while you get the rest of the ingredients and tins ready.
Roughly chop the pistachios. Grease 8 small loaf tins with a little oil, then cut long strips of baking parchment to line the base and ends of each tin – with overhangs to help you lift out the loaves when they’re done.
Scrape the cooled rice into a big mixing bowl and stir through the beaten eggs with salt and pepper. Scatter over chickpeas if using, plus the roasted veg and 100g of the pistachios and fold through. Divide the mixture between the loaf tins, and use your hands to neatly round the tops. The loaves can be chilled for up to 2 days before baking now.
Make the sauce by combining all the ingredients with a little salt and pepper in a saucepan. Simmer for 20 mins until thickened and rich. Again, this can sit in the fridge for up to 2 days.
An hour before you want to serve, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. For the roasted pomegranate roots, mix the carrots, beetroot, shallots and oil in a big roasting tin with some seasoning. Roast on the top shelf for 15 mins, with an empty tray heating on the bottom shelf.
Stir the cumin seeds, pomegranate molasses, orange juice and zest through the veg and put back on the top shelf. Sit the Persian rice loaves on the preheated tray, and bake for another 30 mins together. Finally, stir the pomegranate seeds through the veg, and swap the shelves – so the loaves sit on the top, for a last 5 mins of cooking. Meanwhile gently reheat the sauce.
Carefully lift the loaves out of their tins onto a platter, and scatter with the last 50g of chopped pistachios plus some coriander leaves. Let guests help themselves, sitting the Persian loaves in a pool of tangy tomato sauce – with spoonfuls of the roasted pomegranate roots, couscous, salad leaves and Greek yogurt alongside.