Orange Persian Rice Recipes

PERSIAN RICE

Steps:

• Bring water and kosher salt to a boil in a pot; add rice and cook, stirring, for exactly 7 minutes. Drain.
• Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Cover bottom of pot with 1 layer of potato slices. Sprinkle cumin and salt over potatoes. Cook until potatoes are sizzling, 2 to 3 minutes; top potatoes with rice to form an even layer. Reduce heat to low and place butter slices over rice.
• Top pot with a layer of clean paper towels and place lid over towels. Steam until rice is fluffy, about 45 minutes.
• Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle. Mix crushed saffron with 1 1/2 tablespoons hot water in a large bowl. Add a couple spoonfuls of rice to saffron mixture and stir until rice is yellow.
• Spoon remaining rice into a serving bowl, top with saffron rice, and line edges of bowl with potatoes. Garnish with parsley.

PERSIAN ORANGE RICE WITH ALMONDS

Steps:

• Peel and chop oranges. Remove as much of white as possible from inside of rind by scraping gently with a sharp knife. Sliver rind as thinly as possible. Blanch rind and set aside. In a blender puree oranges, garlic, ginger, saffron, chiles, curry powder, cinnamon, dill, orange juice, sugar, and anise. In a large, heavy skillet or casserole with a tight-fitting lid, melt butter. Gently saute orange rind for 1 minute. Adjust heat to keep butter from burning. Pour in contents of blender and broth and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add rice and stir. Smooth top of rice and cook until done. Stir gently to fluff; add almonds, pistachios, and parsley, and fluff again. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pile into a serving dish and serve hot.

ORANGE PERSIAN RICE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a small dutch oven, or medium sized sauce pan, over medium heat.
• Add rice, stirring constantly until rice is lightly browned.
• Add salt, raisins, red pepper flakes, grated ginger-root, chicken broth, and orange juice.
• Bring to boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
• Add fresh parsley (optional), grated orange zest, and toasted almonds.