Skip to main content

Kateh (Persian Stove-Top Rice)

5.0

(1)

Photo of Kateh .
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce

This is a very simple way to make wonderful rice in under an hour. It is a technique favored around the Caspian, where rice is eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    45 minutes

  • Yield

    4–6 servings

Ingredients

3 cups (600g) white basmati rice
5 ½ cups (1.3l) water
1 tablespoon fine sea salt
¼ cup (60ml) olive oil

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Wash the rice by placing it in a large container and covering it with water. Agitate gently with your hand, then pour off the water. Repeat 5 times until the water is no longer cloudy. Drain, using a fine-mesh colander. If using American long-grain rice, do not wash, and reduce the water to 4½ cups instead of 5½ cups.

    Step 2

    In a medium-sized non-stick pot, combine the rice, water, and salt. Gently stir with a wooden spoon to dissolve the salt.

    Step 3

    Bring to a boil over high heat (this takes about 5 minutes), then reduce heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed and the surface of the rice is covered with steam holes.

    Step 4

    Drizzle the oil over the rice. Cover the pot tightly and steam for 15 minutes over low heat. Keep warm until ready to serve.

    Step 5

    Just before serving, uncover the rice and fluff gently with a fork.

Cover of the cookbook featuring a crispy wedge of tahdig in a bowl with a stew garnished with barberries and seeds.
From Joon: Persian Cooking Made Simple copyright © 2019 by Najmieh Batmanglij. Published with permission by Mage Publishers. Buy the full book from Amazon.

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
This custardy and comforting tofu comes together in minutes, all thanks to your microwave. Serve with rice or bread for an easy meal.
Leftover rotisserie chicken finds new purpose in this endlessly comforting dish.
Scoop up these warmly spiced chickpeas with any flatbread or spoon them onto rice.
“Soft and pillowy, custardy and light—they were unlike any other scrambled eggs I had experienced before.”
A plant-based spin on chorizo to put toward tacos, quesadillas, and more.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Serve these as you would falafel: in a pita, on top of a salad, or as a snack with a dip.
From author Sonoko Sakai, this Japanese omelet is distinguished by its fluffy layers, with a touch of sweetness from maple syrup.