Saffron Rice
Elevate your meals with this aromatic and golden-hued Saffron Rice, a dish that's as visually stunning as it is flavorful. Made with fragrant basmati rice infused with the delicate essence of saffron, this recipe incorporates a medley of warm spices like cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaf for a truly luxurious taste. Sautéed onions add a savory base, while toasting the rice in ghee enhances its nutty aroma. Perfectly steamed to fluffy perfection, this saffron rice is an elegant accompaniment to curries, stews, or grilled meats. Ready in just 40 minutes, it's a simple yet sophisticated side dish that promises to impress your family and guests. Keywords: saffron rice recipe, basmati rice, aromatic rice, saffron side dish, rice with spices.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati rice
- 3.5 cups Water
- 0.5 teaspoons Saffron threads
- 3 tablespoons Hot water
- 2 tablespoons Ghee or butter
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 large Onion (finely chopped)
- 4 Cloves
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 1 Bay leaf
Instructions
Rinse the basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky during cooking.
In a small bowl, soak the saffron threads in 3 tablespoons of hot water and set aside to bloom.
In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the ghee or butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf to the pot, and stir for another minute to release their aromas.
Stir in the rinsed and drained rice, making sure each grain is coated in the ghee and spices. Toast the rice for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add 3.5 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt to the pot and stir to combine.
Pour in the saffron and its soaking water over the rice and gently mix to incorporate.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
Turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. This helps the rice grains to firm up and absorb any remaining steam.
Fluff the rice with a fork and remove the whole spices before serving.
Serve the saffron rice warm as a delightful side dish to your favorite curries, stews, or grilled meats.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
593 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.9 g | 33% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.7 g | 74% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 64 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 2400 mg | 104% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 80.2 g | 29% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.6 g | ||
| Protein | 11.9 g | 24% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 141 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 4.9 mg | 27% | |
| Potassium | 181 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
