The other night I really just wanted something super simple and comforting for dinner. It was a no-fuss kind of night for me. So I called up my mom and asked her how she used to make suti polo, or rice cooked in milk with raisins (and traditionally, dates as well). It’s one of those meals you make when you don’t have much going on in the fridge, maybe you’re tired, and maybe you feel like some carb-lovin’. Don’t be ashamed! That’s healthy in my book! Our parents’ and grandparents’ generations didn’t worry so much about that stuff and look where the worrying has gotten us now. So give yourself some love and use good, honest ingredients to make a wholesome meal.
I feel like I have to explain myself so people don’t get too worked up. I’m not saying, "Go eat a block of cheese and forever live in bliss." It’s just that I think we are too scared of real ingredients these days. Butter was always fine. It was good. Then margarine took over, and that was a hot mess moment, wasn’t it? Now butter is making its way back but a ton of people don’t know what to do with it anymore. Should I eat it all up? Or not at all? Maybe not exactly that, but remember the old adage, “everything in moderation, even moderation?” Yea… that!
Ok, back to suti polo, Bita! So, suti polo-- I love the simplicity of this warm, comforting dish. It’s so simple and just so darn tasty! It’s an old recipe from my family’s hometown of Ardebil, in the Azerbaijan region of northwest Iran. My mom would sometimes make this dish for taking on road trips. The idea of that makes me chuckle a little now, but for some reason, it makes for a really good road trip meal! It does!
My husband and I had it for dinner the other night and it was so tasty with the plump raisins that are lightly sauteed, giving them such a deeper, richer flavor. The whole milk makes the rice really substantial and yummy. If you have an aversion to whole milk, that makes me sad, but of course you can use whatever milk you like.
If you try this recipe when you’re tired and just want something simple and comforting (or even if you’re all pumped up and want some yummy goodness), do let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy it! And as we say, noosheh jaan (nourishment for your soul)!
Recipe
Rice Cooked in Milk with Raisins (Suti Polo)
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked basmati rice
- 4 cups whole milk
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or ghee
- 2 tablespoon butter ¼ stick
- 1 cup raisins
Negar Cyrus says
I will have to try this! So simple and will definitely fit right into my hectic schedule
Jennifer Roman says
I am 43 years old and my great-grandmother who live to be a hundred four years old always made rice and raisins. And she always used heavy cream from our farm but I got married to a Puerto rican man and discovered that instead of heavy cream if you use horchata it is so much better just add a ton of cinnamon and it tastes so so so so good. Enjoy cooking and much love!
Evon says
I made it but my rice did not get done before my milk was all absorbed. So I am wondering what I did wrong
teifionmorgan a says
I am 85 but I will do this I'm the morning,but as I am on my own I will try half a cup thank you
honestandtasty says
That's great! I really hope you enjoy it! 🙂 🙂
Lori Hall says
My maternal grandmother (who would be 118 this month) wasn't Persian, but she used to make this very thing, except with your every day white rice. It was so simple and good. Thanks for sharing! I was looking for this recipe and she never wrote it down.
honestandtasty says
That's so heartwarming to learn about, Lori! Thank you for taking a moment to let me know. I hope you enjoy this recipe and I hope it brings back wonderful feelings/memories. Xoxo!
Jan says
Hi! I'm so glad to have found this recipe! My mother was a Kansas farmgirl and used to make this for breakfast for my brother and I. It was recommended by our family doctor!! Shows how the times have changed. I made it following your recipe and it was delicious! The next time I made it I made it with coconut milk (the real thing) and dried mangoes and it was really good (talk about carb city) Anyway, thank you so much for this delicious simple stick to your ribs recipe!!
honestandtasty says
Jan, I love hearing stories like yours! Thanks for sharing it with me. Also, your idea is genius and sounds delish! I should give it a go! xoxo
Chris says
My mother made something like this but would sprinkle some sugar and cinnamon on top and then drizzle some lightly browned butter over that. Decadent but amazing!
honestandtasty says
Oooo that sounds fabulous!
Bill Kirsch says
My grandmother used to make this for me all the time. I'm 45 and never heard of anyone else making rice and raisins. She use to put a little sugar in the rice. I love it..
honestandtasty says
That's so cool to hear! Just like you, I never heard of anyone else making it and thought people would completely scoff at the idea when I first posted. Now I hear that grandmothers around the world have been making it for ages! 😀
Maryam says
Ya lol...thanks for this recipe.I tried it and loved it 🙂
Dane says
My mom made us white rice with raisins, sweet with sugar ... growing up when we were sick. Just lost mom two weeks ago, and Dad's not feeling well. The pot is on the stove, simmering ....
honestandtasty says
Dane, I'm so sorry about your mom. I hope your Dad feels better very soon. Thank you for leaving your comment, it means so much and I'm happy if this recipe can provide an ounce of comfort for you. I'm sending well wishes your way.
Mary Cerra says
It's 3:15 AM in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. After scrolling through hundreds of rice with raisans recipes I decided on this one! The sweet memories of a carefree youth will be relived in about 10 minutes. I already rated this recipe 5 stars! I have no doubt it will be as delicious as it was 50+ years ago. Thanks for the memories. 🥣
honestandtasty says
Thank you, Mary! I love to hear that! Enjoy! <3
Pamela S Risbeck says
I never even heard of this and my boyfriend just asked me to make it so I googled it and your recipe popped up so I am getting ready to make it right now. This is the first time I've ever tried it. But thank you
Jennifer Roman says
I am 43 years old and my great-grandmother who live to be a hundred four years old always made rice and raisins. And she always used heavy cream from our farm but I got married to a Puerto rican man and discovered that instead of heavy cream if you use horchata it is so much better just add a ton of cinnamon and it tastes so so so so good. Enjoy cooking and much love!
Zamagugu Kutwana says
Never heard of rice cooked with milk ,, I was googling rice with raisins so it popped out ,will try it hope won't be disappointed
Ionathan says
I'm in Argentina and tried it. Had to use white rice and added some cooked almonds. I really liked it! Thanks for sharing!
D'Anne Sano says
my mom and grandmother use to make this for us kids back in the 50's and 60's loved it then and love it now. Thank you for the memories
Bita Cyrus says
I really love seeing all these stories with similarities for this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Ray says
Can you use almond milk?
Jodi Blunt says
I was wondering the same thing! I had rice and raisins from my grandmother when I was younger. I'm 41 years old now and haven't had milk since I was about 12. She used to use white rice some made raisins add milk and sugar and it was perfect perfect with just a dash of cinnamon🥰I realize this is an old post, but I'm gonna give it a whirl with my almond milk...hope it goes well for you also!
Mary Andringa says
My mother made this recipe except she added cinnamon and sugar to it. We had it on Saturday or Sunday evenings. We had a family of eight and everyone loved it. Her parents were immigrants from Holland and she said her mother ate it as a child as well. I am looking forward to making it again. Thanks for the recipe as I didn’t write it down and couldn’t find it in mom’s cookbooks.
Tammy Ecott says
I’m 65, and my mom and dad is to give us rice with milk, raisins, and sugar for breakfast. Sometimes before we went to school, it was delicious They would cook the rice off and rinse it, then put whole milk over it with sugar and raisins, and it was delicious between the cold milk and the warm rice, especially in the winter. I just made some as a snack before going to bed, you can cook the rice of ahead of time. Just have it in the fridge and reheat it. That’s what I do. Yum.
Tammy Ecott says
I’m 65, and my mom and dad used to give us rice with milk, raisins, and sugar for breakfast. Sometimes before we went to school, it was delicious They would cook the rice off and rinse it, then put whole milk over it with sugar and raisins, and it was delicious between the cold milk and the warm rice, especially in the winter. I just made some as a snack before going to bed, you can cook the rice off ahead of time. Just have it in the fridge and reheat it. That’s what I do. Yum.
Cindy Ficklin says
Hi. My mom used to make this for us growing up and we loved it. (I always thought it was her invention - she was always experimenting with us!) We refused to eat some of her creations and boy did that make her mad!
Anyway, I was so happy to come across this recipe for rice & raisins. It brings back happy memories. Thank you. 😊
Bita Cyrus says
Aw that's awesome to hear! Thanks for sharing. Love these stories! Looks like many people had a similar experience with this recipe!
Bita Cyrus says
So wonderful and sweet! Thanks for sharing!