Best 3 Indian Saffron Rice Recipes
Indian saffron rice, also known as "zarday pulao" or "meetha chawal," is a traditional dish that holds a special place in Indian cuisine. Originating from the Mughal era, this sweet and aromatic rice dish is a blend of fragrant basmati rice, saffron, nuts, dried fruits, and spices. Whether served as a main course or a delectable dessert, Indian saffron rice is a culinary delight that captivates the senses with its vibrant color, rich flavors, and enticing aroma.
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KASHMIRI CHICKEN, CARDAMOM AND SAFFRON PILAU: SPICED INDIAN RICE
A wonderfully fragrant and spiced Indian chicken dish, with saffron and cardamom studded rice. This has become a popular and much loved family recipe; an Indian friend who was studying Art with me many years ago, used to make this for all of us Art students every Saturday night; she finally shared the recipe with us before we all graduated! I have been making this for over 30 years now, and I have never changed a thing! Serve this with cool cucumber raita, sambals and naan bread, for a delectable "one Pot" Indian feast. NB: As one reviewer found out, if you use brown rice in this recipe, this adds considerably to the cooking time and you will need more liquid; brown rice takes longer to cook and takes about a third more liquid!
Provided by French Tart
Categories Curries
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Rinse the basmati rice several times in cold water and drain in a colander - leave to dry.
- Heat half of the oil (1 tablespoon) in a large pan and add half of the onion (1 onion), the garlic, ginger and cumin seeds. Fry them over a gentle heat for about 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken pieces and brown them - turning them regularly to achieve a good colour all over.
- Add the saffron, boiling water, cardamom pods, mint, garam masala and cinnamon stick. Bring it all to the boil and then cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is tender.
- Transfer all the contents to a bowl and rinse out the pan.
- Add the remaining oil and onion to the pan and fry until the onion is lightly coloured. Add the rice and stir it well, cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until the rice is opaque.
- Add the chicken mixture, tomatoes and sultanas - then season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir gently, then shake the pan to level the ingredients.
- Add sufficient boiling water to come about 3/4" above the rice mixture. Cover with a tight fitting lid and cook gently over a low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid has all been absorbed.
- Discard the cinnamon stick and transfer to a warm serving dish, sprinkle with the toasted almonds and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 680.9, Fat 29.5, SaturatedFat 6.4, Cholesterol 85.1, Sodium 95.2, Carbohydrate 74.1, Fiber 5.5, Sugar 9.3, Protein 30.7
INDIAN SAFFRON RICE
Indian saffron is richer, darker in its red-orange color then the Spanish or Italian, and gives a better flavor to rice. The saffron should always be steeped in hot water ahead of time and used as part of the liquid in the recipe. The following is a recipe prepared in the Indian manner.
Provided by CookingForDummies
Categories Side Dish Rice Side Dish Recipes
Time 25m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Steep the saffron in 1/2 cup boiling water.
- In a skillet that can be tightly covered, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Stir in the rice and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until the rice begins to absorb the butter and becomes opaque, but do not brown the rice.
- Quickly pour in the remaining 1 1/2 cups boiling water along with the saffron water. Cover immediately, reduce heat to low, and cook 20 minutes, or until all of the liquid is absorbed. For best results, do not remove the lid while the rice is cooking.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 154.2 calories, Carbohydrate 26.1 g, Cholesterol 10.2 mg, Fat 4.1 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 418.2 mg
INDIAN SAFFRON RICE
Steps:
- Steep the saffron in 1/2 cup boiling water. In a skillet that can be tightly covered, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Stir in the rice and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until the rice begins to absorb the butter and becomes opaque, but do not brown the rice. Quickly pour in the remaining 1 1/2 cups boiling water along with the saffron water. Cover immediately, reduce heat to low, and cook 20 minutes, or until all of the liquid is absorbed. For best results, do not remove the lid while the rice is cooking
Tips:
- Choose the right type of rice: Basmati rice is the traditional choice for making saffron rice, as it has a long, slender grain that cooks up light and fluffy.
- Soak the rice before cooking: Soaking the rice for 30 minutes before cooking helps to remove the starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
- Use a good quality saffron: Saffron is a delicate spice, so it's important to use a good quality saffron that has a strong flavor and aroma.
- Don't overcook the rice: Saffron rice should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooking the rice will make it mushy.
- Garnish with nuts and dried fruits: Saffron rice is often garnished with nuts and dried fruits, such as almonds, pistachios, and raisins. This adds a sweet and crunchy contrast to the savory rice.
Conclusion:
Saffron rice is a classic Indian dish that is easy to make and delicious to eat. With its vibrant color and delicate flavor, saffron rice is a perfect side dish for any special occasion. Whether you're serving it with a lamb curry, a chicken tikka masala, or simply grilled vegetables, saffron rice is sure to be a hit.
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