Saffron Rice with Curried Apricot Dressing
Transform your dinner table with the vibrant flavors of Saffron Rice with Curried Apricot Dressing, a dish that beautifully balances savory and sweet. The golden-hued basmati rice, infused with aromatic saffron and buttery richness, serves as the perfect canvas for the star of the show: a velvety apricot dressing. Made with softened dried apricots, a hint of curry powder, fresh orange juice, and a touch of honey, this sauce delivers a fragrant burst of sweet and tangy complexity. Topped with a garnish of fresh cilantro and optional crunchy slivered almonds, this dish is as stunning to look at as it is delicious. Perfect for serving as a side dish or as a vegetarian main, this recipe offers a quick cooking time and an elegant presentation, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Keywords: saffron rice, curried apricot dressing, flavorful side dish, vegetarian recipes, quick dinner ideas, aromatic saffron rice recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati rice
- 4 cups Water
- 0.25 teaspoon Saffron threads
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 cup Dried apricots
- 1 teaspoon Curry powder
- 0.25 cup Fresh orange juice
- 2 teaspoons Honey
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 each Garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped
- 0.25 cup Slivered almonds (optional)
Instructions
Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
In a small bowl, steep the saffron threads in 2 tablespoons of warm water for 5 minutes.
In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice, saffron water, butter, and salt. Stir to combine.
Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
While the rice is cooking, prepare the curried apricot dressing. In a small saucepan, combine the dried apricots and 1/4 cup water. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until the apricots soften.
Transfer the apricots and their cooking liquid to a blender or food processor. Add curry powder, orange juice, honey, olive oil, and minced garlic. Blend until smooth, adjusting with water if necessary to achieve a pourable consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
To serve, spoon the saffron rice onto a platter or individual plates. Drizzle with the curried apricot dressing.
Garnish with chopped cilantro and slivered almonds if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1194 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 57.9 g | 74% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.9 g | 40% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 37 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 150.8 g | 55% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.0 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 34.7 g | ||
| Protein | 22.4 g | 45% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 205 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 8.3 mg | 46% | |
| Potassium | 905 mg | 19% | |
*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.
