Lamb, Raisin, and Bean Polov

1. EGG CRUST DIRECTIONS: Beat the eggs in a large bowl & mix with the rice.
2. Set aside until needed.
3. POLOV DIRECTIONS: Soak the beans overnight.
4. rinse them well and place in a large heavy pot. Add 3 cups of water and bring to a boil.
5. Reducei heat, cover, & simmer for 1 hour being sure to skim often.
6. Rinse the 3 cups of rice then place in a large bowl.
7. Barely cover with lukewarm water, add 1 teaspoon salt, then let rice soak for 1 hour.
8. Drain beans and set aside.
9. Heat oil in a large skillet, add the meat, onions, & garlic, brown meat and onions/garlic for approx.
10. 10 minutes.
11. Mixi the saffron with 2 tablespoons of water add to the meat, season wioth salt & pepper to taste, add the stock, cinnamon, turmeric, nutmeg, etc. bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 hrs. Heat 3 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet overmedium-low heat, add the raisins & dates and cook until softened.
12. remove form heat set aside.
13. Bring 3 qts. of water to a boil in a large pot add salt pour in the rinsed rice, allow to boil while stirring for 8 minutes.
14. Remove from heat and drain.
15. The rice will still be hard and not completely cooked.
16. Rinse with cold water.
17. Mix 4 tablespoons of melted butter & 1/4 cup of warm water, pour into a large heatproof, flat-bottomed, casserole with a tight-fitting lid. Place the crust into the casserole being sure that it covers the bottom completely.
18. Spread 1 cup of rice over the crust, then alayer of meat then a layer of beans, then a lyer of dtes & raisins repeat until all ingredients have been used.
19. Top with remianing rice then drizzle 5 tablespoons of butter over this layer of rice.
20. Pour the remaining stock over the this layer of ruce as well.
21. Poke 6 -7 holes into the top layer of rice with the handle of a woodedn spoon.
22. Wrap the casserole lid with a linen or cotton cloth.
23. Be sure not to use a terry cloth towel as it will absorb the steam.
24. Place the lid tightly on the casserole and cook over a med-high heat for 5 minutes, reduce rthe heat to low and steam the casserole for 40 minutes.
25. Stiri the remaining butter in a small bowl with the remaining saffron.
26. remove the polov from the heat, let stand for 5 minutes, remove 1 cup of rice form the top layer of the polov and toss with the saffron-butter mixture then replace on the top of the polov.
27. serve at once.
28. * NOTE: In other parts of Central Asia this dish is made with red beans and I have it made with beef, horse, camel, chicken, and venison for the meat instead of the lamb.
29. It is excellent anyway it comes.