Best 10 Saffron Almond Rice Pilaf Recipes

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Saffron almond rice pilaf is a delightful and flavorful dish that combines the rich aroma of saffron with the nutty taste of almonds. This classic Persian dish is a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats or fish and can also be served as a main course. The combination of saffron and almonds creates a vibrant and colorful dish that is sure to impress your guests. With its unique flavor and beautiful presentation, saffron almond rice pilaf is a dish that is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SAFFRON RICE PILAF WITH TOASTED ALMONDS



Saffron Rice Pilaf With Toasted Almonds image

This is a rice pilaf recipe that I make all the time. I started making it to avoid the sodium and preservatives in the boxed versions of rice pilaf. This recipe is healthy and the ingredients are inexpensive. It's one of my husband's favorite!

Provided by Jennigator3

Categories     Long Grain Rice

Time 26m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

3/4 cup white rice
1/3 cup vermicelli, broken into 1/2 inch pieces
2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon margarine
1 pinch saffron
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
1 teaspoon seasoning salt

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan on medium-low heat, toast almonds until they turn a golden-brown color. Remove from saucepan and set aside.
  • In the same saucepan on medium heat, melt butter.
  • Add vermicelli noodles and brown for 1 minute.
  • Add rice and brown for 1-2 additional minutes being careful not to burn noodles or rice.
  • Add seasoned salt, saffron, toasted almonds and chicken broth and bring to a boil.
  • Cover saucepan and reduce heat to lowest setting. Cook covered for 16 minutes.
  • Remove lid and fluff with a fork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 192.9, Fat 5.4, SaturatedFat 2.2, Cholesterol 7.6, Sodium 401.2, Carbohydrate 29.6, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 0.5, Protein 5.6

SAFFRON ALMOND RICE PILAF



Saffron Almond Rice Pilaf image

An easy rice pilaf recipe with saffron and toasted almonds that makes a delicious side dish to beef, chicken and pork.

Provided by Shelby Law Ruttan

Categories     Side Dish

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups vegetable broth
1 pinch saffron threads
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup basmati rice
¼ cup chopped onion
½ red bell pepper (, diced)
½ cup sliced black olives
⅓ cup slivered almonds (, toasted)
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan over medium high heat, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Turn off the heat and add the saffron, salt and pepper; set aside.
  • Heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium high heat until melted and bubbly. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes, until onion begins to soften.
  • Add the basmati rice to the onions and stir over medium high heat for 2 minutes, until the rice begins to brown.
  • Add the broth mixture to the rice, bring to a boil then turn heat down to simmer, cover the pot and simmer for 10 minutes, until the rice has absorbed water and is no longer crunchy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 414 kcal, Carbohydrate 57 g, Protein 8 g, Fat 17 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Sodium 1371 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 3 g, UnsaturatedFat 10 g, ServingSize 1 serving

SAFFRON RICE PILAF



Saffron Rice Pilaf image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup broken thin spaghetti
1 3/4 cups chicken stock
1 cup long-grain rice
1/4 cup chopped golden raisins
1 Fresno chile pepper, halved
1 large bay leaf
1 cinnamon stick
Generous pinch saffron
Salt

Steps:

  • Melt the butter in a saucepot over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and toast until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock, rice, raisins, chile pepper, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, saffron and season with salt. Bring to boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 18 minutes.

JEWELED SAFFRON RICE PILAF



Jeweled Saffron Rice Pilaf image

Saffron will tint basmati rice a gorgeous color while perfuming it with its scent. The rice will be mixed with toasted nuts, dried cranberries, and fresh herbs for a blend of Mediterranean flavors.

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Kosher salt
½ teaspoon saffron
3 cups basmati rice, rinsed well and drained
¾ cup dried cranberries
½ cup currants
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ cup roasted salted almonds, coarsely chopped
¼ cup shelled roasted salted pistachios, coarsely chopped

Steps:

  • Bring a large nonstick saucepot of water to a boil and generously salt. Transfer ½ cup boiling water to a bowl and stir in the saffron; reserve. Add the rice to a boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Drain well. Melt the butter in the same pot over medium-low heat and stir in the coriander and cumin. Reduce the heat to low and spread one-third of the rice evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle with one-third of the saffron mixture and half of the cranberries and currants. Spoon half of the remaining rice over the dried fruit and sprinkle with half of the remaining saffron mixture and the remaining dried fruit. Top with the remaining rice and saffron mixture. Poke 5 holes in the rice with the handle of a wooden spoon. Wrap a clean kitchen towel around the pot lid, cover the rice, and steam for 35 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Spoon the rice, including its crunchy golden bottom layer, onto a serving platter and top with the almonds and pistachios.

SAFFRON ALMOND RICE PILAF



Saffron Almond Rice Pilaf image

Categories     Rice     Side     Quick & Easy     Almond     Saffron     Fall     Boil     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Kidney Friendly     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup chicken broth
1 cup water
Pinch of saffron threads
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup long-grain rice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Steps:

  • Heat broth and water in a small saucepan over moderate heat until hot, then crumble saffron into liquid and stir. Remove from heat.
  • Cook onion in butter in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes.
  • Add rice and cook, stirring, until fragrant and pale golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in saffron broth, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes, then fluff rice with a fork and fold in almonds.

RICE PILAF WITH ALMONDS



Rice Pilaf with Almonds image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains     Rice Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 small onion, minced (1/2 cup)
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth, (or 1 3/4 cups water)
1/4 cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Stir in coriander, and season with salt and pepper. Add rice, and cook, stirring, until the edges of the rice kernels are transparent, about 2 minutes.
  • Stir in broth or water. Bring to a boil; cover, and simmer over low heat until liquid has absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and let stand, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, spread almonds in one layer on a baking sheet; bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir parsley into the rice mixture. Serve sprinkled with almonds.

APRICOT ALMOND PILAF



Apricot Almond Pilaf image

A sumptuous but easy Persian-inspired dish. Rosewater can be found in Middle Eastern groceries and in many large supermarkets. The carrot, saffron, and apricots make for a beautiful gold color. Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom along with the saffron, if desired.

Provided by JOHNTHEBEAR

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small carrot, finely chopped
1 cup basmati rice
1 teaspoon salt
1 ⅞ cups water
¼ teaspoon saffron threads, crushed
1 tablespoon rose water
¼ cup dried apricots, diced
¼ cup slivered almonds

Steps:

  • Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onion and carrot until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in basmati rice and salt; cook and stir until rice is slightly opaque, about 3 minutes.
  • Pour in water; stir to combine. Mix in saffron threads, rose water, apricots, and almonds; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice has absorbed the liquid, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow pilaf to stand covered for 10 more minutes. Stir before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 289 calories, Carbohydrate 46 g, Cholesterol 15.3 mg, Fat 9.9 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 5.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 636.5 mg, Sugar 6.1 g

DELICIOUS ALMOND RICE PILAF



Delicious Almond Rice Pilaf image

A delicious side dish for beef or chicken. A great change from plain rice or boxed rice mixes. I like to serve this with grilled chicken or with saucy cube steaks.

Provided by DHANO923

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
¼ cup diced onion
1 cup white rice
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
2 cups water
1 cube beef bouillon
1 teaspoon dried parsley

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onion until tender, about 5 minutes. Add rice and almonds, cooking and stirring until rice is lightly toasted, about 5 minutes more. Stir in water, bouillon, and parsley; cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until water is absorbed and rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow rice to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 212.2 calories, Carbohydrate 38.7 g, Fat 4.1 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 4.2 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 222.8 mg, Sugar 0.8 g

SAFFRON RICE PILAF WITH RED PEPPERS & TOASTED ALMONDS



Saffron Rice Pilaf With Red Peppers & Toasted Almonds image

I think I got this recipe from Fine Cooking Magazine--great read! This simple, tasty side dish reminds me a little of paella, and is so delish--it goes great with just about everything, but I particularly like it with salmon or my Recipe #241378.

Provided by Battle in Seattle

Categories     Long Grain Rice

Time 40m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth (can substitute water, but won't be quite as good)
1/8 teaspoon saffron (about 20 threads or a "pinch")
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, small diced (1 1/4 cups)
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and small diced (about one cup)
1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice (I use Basmatti)
1 teaspoon kosher salt, more if needed
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, divided
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped (can use half as much dry)

Steps:

  • On the stove top or in the microwave, heat the broth until hot. Add the saffron, cover, and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a heavy-based 3-quart saucepan with a tight lid, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the rice, salt and cayenne, and stir well to coat each grain with oil. Toast for a full five minutes, stirring regularly to keep the grains separated and to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan (the rice may turn opaque before 5 minutes is up, but keep going). Reduce the heat to low if there are any signs of scorching. Stir in 2 tablespoons of parsley and the garlic.
  • Add the saffron broth, stir once, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 18 minutes. Remove from the heat, and let the pilaf sit, still covered, for five minutes.
  • Once the pilaf has rested, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Using the fork, gently fold in the almonds, the remaining parsley, and the oregano. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
  • P.S. You might be tempted to leave out the saffron because it's expensive, but DON'T DO IT! It's worth every penny, and one jar goes a long way. If you have a Trader Joe's in your area, you can pick up a jar for about three to four bucks. If you don't have a TJ's, I'm sorry for you.

SAFFRON RICE PILAF WITH APRICOTS AND ALMONDS



Saffron Rice Pilaf with Apricots and Almonds image

Categories     Rice     Side     Quick & Easy     Low/No Sugar     Apricot     Almond     Saffron     Bon Appétit     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added

Yield Makes about 7 cups

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 onion, chopped
1/8 teaspoon ground saffron
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
3 cups chicken stock of canned broth
1/2 cup dried apricots, quartered (about 3 ounces)
1/4 cup dried currants
1/2 cup slivered almonds (about 2 ounces), toasted

Steps:

  • Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion, ground saffron and cloves and saut&5 minutes. Add rice and stir to coat grains. Mix in chicken stock, dried apricots and currants. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Fluff rice with fork. Add slivered almonds and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality saffron. The quality of saffron will greatly impact the flavor of your pilaf. Look for saffron that is a deep red color and has a strong aroma.
  • Toast the almonds before using them. Toasting the almonds will help to bring out their flavor and make them more fragrant.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot. A heavy-bottomed pot will help to distribute the heat evenly and prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  • Don't overcook the rice. Rice should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
  • Let the pilaf rest before serving. Letting the pilaf rest before serving will help to allow the flavors to meld together.

Conclusion:

Saffron almond rice pilaf is a delicious and flavorful side dish that can be served with a variety of main courses. It is a popular dish in many cultures and is a great way to add a touch of exotic flavor to your meal. With its vibrant color and nutty flavor, saffron almond rice pilaf is sure to impress your guests.

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