Saffron Rice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saffron Rice is a fragrant rice dish common in Indian, Italian and Spanish cuisines with some variations. This recipe is for Indian saffron rice which is flavored with spices like saffron, bay lead, cardamon and cinnamon. It is a burst of flavors. It is easy to make and can be eaten alone or with some stew or curry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS:

(1) 1 Cup Basmati Rice

(2) 2 Tablespoons Butter, Olive Oil of Ghee

(3) 1/4 Teaspoon Saffron

(4) 2 Cups Hot Water

(5) 1 Bay Leaf

(6) 1 Cinnamon Stick

(7) 2 Cloves

(8) Salt to taste.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES:

(1) In place of water, you can use chicken or beef broth. In this recipe I used 1/2 cup of water and 1-1/2 Cups of broth.

(2) Though the recipe calls for Basmati rice, any long grained parboiled rice would work here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROCEDURE:

(1) Soak the saffron in 1/2 cup of hot water. Set aside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2) In a skillet with a lid, melt the butter. You can also use olive oil or ghee here. I have a recipe for ghee which can be found here.

(3) When butter is melted or oil is hot, add unwashed Basmati rice to skillet along with bay leaf, cloves and cinnamon stick. Saute rice and spices for about 5 minutes. You do not want the rice to get brown. You only want it toasted and somewhat transparent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4) After 5 minutes, add water with soaked saffron along with the remaining 1-1/2 Cups of hot water or broth. Stir to distribute rice. Cover the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Allow rice to cook for 20 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5) After 20 minutes, all the water would have been absorbed by rice. Switch off heat and allow rice to sit covered for 5 minutes. Use a fork to fluff rice after 5 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This rice can be had as is or with some curry, sauce or stew. I have a lovely recipe for a Goat Curry on the website. It can be found here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Try making this rice for a change in your normal rice meals.