Middle Eastern Veggie Fried Rice

This is a fun variation on fried rice, something Molly loves making at home because it’s so easy to throw together what you have on hand. This version goes in another flavor direction with Middle Eastern spices, sweet eggplant and perfectly poached eggs right in the rice so they stay runny. It’s a nice complement to her Roasted Sumac Chicken with Zhug.

Baghali Polo

Baghali polo is a fragrant Persian rice dish that features fava beans, dill and saffron. It’s traditionally served with lamb shanks (mahicheh), but it’s also popular alongside other meats and stews. The technique for cooking baghali polo is similar to that for rice with tahdig, where the rice forms the crispy topping. In this version of the dish, a layer of potato slices becomes the crispy tahdig. You can find frozen green fava beans in some supermarkets and stores specializing in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean ingredients; canned brown fava beans have a different texture and flavor, so they aren’t a good substitute in this recipe.

Spiced Rice With Chickpeas

This colorful rice dish is essentially a pilaf flavored with aromatic spices and lemon. Chickpeas, and their liquid, are simmered with the rice until very tender for added flavor, texture and a pop of extra protein.