Instructions: Saute onion in oil; add meat and cook till browned. Add green beans and peppers. Cook till crisp-tender; add salt and tomato paste, then enough water to cover everything. Let simmer 1 hour - or till meat is very tender.

(Dont let it dry out - you want it saucy). Add lemon juice.Meanwhile, soak 5 cups rice in water to cover with 3 tbsp. salt (you want the water to taste salty). Pour rice water into pan and add a little more water. Boil water, then dump in rice. Cook till rice is almost done (basmati will float on top and look longer and more even). Drain rice in colander.

Also, while rice and meat are cooking, saute carrots in butter/oil (you want them tender and sweet, so dont add salt).

Put a little oil/butter in large non-stick pan. Follow layers: 1) Rice, 2)

meat/veg, 3) rice... in thin layers. Then pour saffron/sugar that has been mixed with a little hot water over top. Cover tightly. Steam until done (15 - 30 min on low). [you can pour a little butter/water mixture over top if rice dries out before it is done].

Serve on platter with crisp rice from bottom of pan over top, then carrots.

Pour melted butter on top. Serve with salad.

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