In the realm of culinary arts, tantalizing taste buds with flavors that captivate the senses is an eternal pursuit. When the essence of saffron, a spice revered for its golden hue and intoxicating aroma, is woven intricately with the comforting embrace of rice, a dish of extraordinary enchantment emerges. Allow us to unveil a culinary odyssey, an exploration of the secrets and techniques that elevate spiced saffron rice from a mere dish to a symphony of flavors. Prepare to be captivated as we embark on a journey to discover the best recipe for this delectable delicacy.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
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
SPICED SAFFRON RICE
Categories Rice Side Vegetarian Quick & Easy Saffron Cinnamon Clove Gourmet
Yield Serves 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large bowl wash rice in several changes of cold water until the water runs clear and drain it in a fine sieve. In a large heavy saucepan heat the oil over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking, add the cinnamon stick, the cloves, and the cardamom pods, if using, and fry the spices, stirring, for 30 seconds, or until the cloves are puffed slightly. Add rice and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute, or until the rice is opaque. Add 2 1/4 cups water and the salt, bring the mixture to a boil, and cook the rice, covered, over low heat for 15 minutes.
- While the rice is cooking, in a heatproof bowl set over a small pan of simmering water heat the saffron for 3-4 minutes, or until it is brittle. Add milk, heat the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it is hot, and remove the pan from the heat. Drizzle the saffron mixture over the rice and continue to cook the rice, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the rice stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
GOLDEN SAFFRON AND CARDAMOM SPICED CHICKEN & RICE PILAU
Richly fragrant golden saffron rice pilaf (pilau) that's delicately scented with rose water & studded with pistachios, almonds, and sultanas, combined with moist, tender chunks of chicken infused with lemon, yogurt and musky spices: this is a FABULOUS one-dish meal! Inspired by a Nigella Lawson recipe, from one of her cookbooks. Wonderful served warm, or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Provided by BecR2400
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 45m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Marinate the chicken in the yogurt, lemon, cinnamon, small pinch of garam masala, and grated ginger for about 1 hour. Soak the saffron threads in the chicken stock.
- Shake the excess marinade off the chicken. In a large Dutch oven or Le Creuset over medium-high heat, fry the meat with a spoonful or so of oil (do this in batches so that the chicken becomes nicely golden in color). Remove chicken and browned bits to a plate, cover with aluminum foil to keep warm and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt the butter with 1 tablespoon of the oil and add the rice, stirring to coat until glossy. Pour in the saffron and chicken stock, add the sultanas, cardamom pods, rose water, lemon juice and zest and bring the pan to the boil, then clamp on the lid and turn the heat down to very low. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, by which time the rice should have absorbed the liquid and be cooked through.
- Add the chicken and the browned bits to the rice, stirring gently to combine.
- Toast the almonds by shaking them in a dry frying pan over a medium heat until they color and begin to give off their fragrance, then add to the pilaf along with the chopped parsley. Pile everything onto a plate and add a fabulously green sprinkling of slivered or roughly chopped pistachios.
Tips:
- Use high-quality saffron. The quality of saffron can vary widely, so it's important to use the best you can afford. Look for saffron that is a deep red color and has a strong aroma.
- Toast the saffron before using it. Toasting the saffron will help to release its flavor and aroma. To do this, simply heat a small skillet over medium heat and add the saffron. Cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until the saffron is fragrant and slightly darkened in color.
- Use a good quality basmati rice. Basmati rice is a long-grain rice that is known for its delicate flavor and aroma. It is the perfect rice to use for this recipe.
- Don't overcook the rice. Rice that is overcooked will be mushy and unpleasant. Cook the rice according to the package directions, or until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
- Let the rice rest before serving. After the rice is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the rice to absorb all of the flavors and spices.
Conclusion:
Spiced saffron rice is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal preferences. Whether you like your rice spicy or mild, this recipe is sure to please. So next time you're looking for a tasty and exotic side dish, give spiced saffron rice a try.
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