Ingredient appreciation — what makes Baghali Polo special
What sets Baghali Polo apart is the handling of dried limes. In lesser versions this is treated as a background note. Here it's central and the fragrant and aromatic result shows it. I've started buying it to cook with at home after this experience.
Iranian cuisine has a 3000-year recorded history with influences on Arab, Turkish, and Central Asian cooking. The a Persian New Year nowruz celebration atmosphere was right for this kind of food. I had hot black tea with sugar as recommended and it matched well. If you want to understand what makes this cuisine distinctive, Baghali Polo is the place to start.
Baghali Polo