When I think of boring dishes, spaghetti is usually one of the first thing that pops in my mind. Like most people, I've had it far too many times in my life. Probably because it's easy, cheap and everyone knows how to make it. There is one exception, though. My step-mom makes the best spaghetti I've ever tried. I could eat bowls of it for a week straight and not get tired of it. It's so awesome, words cannot describe! She makes it the "Persian" way, which is, of course, the best way ;). You can cook it with or without the Tadig, which is basically a crispy crust made at the bottom of the pan with either bread, potatoes or lettuce.
P.S. Sorry for the crappy pictures!
Persian Spaghetti with Tadig
Serves: 3-4
Ingredients:
1 med onion, sliced
1/4 lb lean ground beef
6 oz. tomato paste
1 tsp turmeric
12 oz spaghetti
1 small potato, sliced (or bread/lettuce if you prefer)
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup water
Oil
Directions
1. Cook spaghetti according to box instructions, strain and set aside
2. Put 1 tblsp oil in a saute pan on high heat. When it gets hot, turn the stove down to med-high and add onions. Cook for 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
3. Add ground beef and saute all together while breaking the meat into very small pieces. Add the turmeric and cook for 2 minutes or until meat is brown.
4. Add tomato paste and stir for 1-2 minutes. When you notice the color of the paste changing (brownish color), it is done.
5. Add water and turn the temperature to high heat. When it starts to boil, turn the heat to low and add salt.
6. Let cook for 15 minutes and stir 2-3 times. When the water is evaporated turn off the heat.
7.(To make the tadig; you can skip this part if you want): In a sauce pan (big enough to fit pasta/sauce), add 3 tblsp oil and heat on stove for 45 seconds on high heat.
8. Remove pan from heat and add 1 layer of sliced potatoes (enough to cover the bottom of the pan).
9. Add a bit of pasta on top and then a layer of the meat sauce. Keep layering until you've used all of the pasta/sauce.
10. Drizzle 2-3 tblsp oil on top of the spaghetti and cover.
11. Place back on the stove on high heat for 45 seconds (if you are making the tadig) and then decrease heat to low and cook for 45 minutes.
12. After 45 minutes, stir the spaghetti and serve! If you made the Tadig, scrape the potatoes from the bottom of the pan and serve on the side. Don't eat the hard spaghetti at the bottom, unless you're into that.
13. Enjoy!
