Minted Saffron Rice With Currants And Pine Nuts Recipes

SAFFRON RICE WITH GOLDEN RAISINS AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Soak the rice in tepid water for 10 minutes; drain. While the rice is soaking, put half a kettle of water on to boil.
• Add the oil to a medium, thick-bottomed lidded saucepan over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and cook until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Transfer the pine nuts to a small bowl and set aside.
• Add the onion to the saucepan you cooked the pine nuts in, and cook until softened and just starting to brown, about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the rice and cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the sultanas, boiling water, salt, and saffron (or turmeric), turn the heat up to high, and bring it to a rolling boil.
• Give the rice a stir, then cover the saucepan, turn the heat down to very low, and cook until tender, about 10 minutes (do not open the lid during this time). Turn the heat off and let the rice sit (covered) 15 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
• Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle the toasted pine nuts on top; serve.
• Optional: Add two pods of cardamom, two whole cloves, and one 2-inch (5 cm) piece of cinnamon stick at the same time that you add the rice.

EASY SAFFRON RICE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Pour the stock into a medium-sized pot with a tight-fitting lid. Place the pot on the stove over high heat.
• While the stock is coming to a boil, add the turmeric, saffron, chile (if using), and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Stir well.
• Add the rice plus 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce (or 1/4 teaspoon salt) and stir. Bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low and cover tightly with a lid. Cook 12 to 15 minutes, or until liquid has been absorbed by the rice. (Insert a fork or knife straight down into the pot and push the rice aside. If you see liquid, it still needs more time to cook.)
• When most of the liquid is gone, turn off the heat and place the lid on tightly. Allow the pot to remain on the burner for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until you're ready to eat. The residual heat inside the pot will finish steaming the rice. The rice will stay warm in this way for 1 hour or more.
• Before serving, remove the lid and fluff rice with chopsticks or a fork. Taste test for salt, adding 1/2 tablespoon more fish sauce or a little more salt if needed (the amount will depend on the saltiness of your stock). If the rice tastes too salty, add another squeeze of lemon juice.

SAFFRON RICE

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes more.
• Pour in rice and stir to coat. Stir in water, parsley flakes, saffron, and 3 drops of yellow food coloring (optional). Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until water is absorbed, about 30 minutes.

MINTED SAFFRON RICE WITH CURRANTS AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan heat oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook cuminseed, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf, stirring, until mixture is fragrant and cuminseed is several shades darker (be careful not to burn it).
• Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened. Add rice and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add water, currants, saffron, and salt and bring to a boil, covered. Reduce heat to very low and simmer rice, covered, 20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.
• Let rice stand 5 minutes. Discard cinnamon stick and bay leaf and stir in pine nuts and mint.

RICE PILAF WITH CURRANTS AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Melt butter in skillet. Add the rice and brown till slightly golden. Add broth and water carefully. Add the currants, bring to a boil and cover and cook on low heat for about 45 minute to an hour. Don't peek at it. Serve with the pine nuts on top.