Saffron Rice Salad Recipes

SAFFRON RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oil in medium pot on grates of grill or side burners. Add onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add the rice and stir to coat the grains of rice with the oil.
• Place the water in a small pot and bring to a boil. Add the saffron to the onion mixture and let boil 1 minute. Add the boiling water to the rice, stir, add salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot and let cook 12 to 14 minutes or until the rice is just cooked. Let the rice sit, covered for 5 minutes then fluff with fork.
• Transfer the rice to a large bowl and add the asparagus, peppers, olives and herbs. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and a few tablespoons of aged sherry vinegar. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SAFFRON-PEA BASMATI RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they are lightly golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute. Increase the heat to high, add the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, water, salt, black pepper and saffron and bring to a boil. Stir in the rice, cover, reduce the heat and simmer until the rice is tender. Stir in the peas, cover, and let the pan sit off the heat for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in the cilantro and scallions. Discard the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick and the cloves. Transfer the rice to a serving bowl and serve.

CALAMARI AND SAFFRON RICE SALAD

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 10 cups of water to a boil.
• Stir in 1 tblsp salt.
• Add the rice and cook uncovered over medium heat until al dente, about 15 minutes.
• Drain in a colander, rinse with cold water and drain again.
• Place the rice in a large serving bowl and toss with the saffron water.
• Stir in ¼ cup of the olive oil and the vinegar.
• In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, blanch the peas for 1 minutes.
• Drain in a colander, rinse with cold water and drain again.
• In a large nonreactive skillet, heat the remaining 2 tblsps olive oil over high heat until hot but not smoking.
• Add the squid and cook, stirring occasionally, just until opaque throughout, 2-3 minutes.
• Transfer the squid to a bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Add the wine and garlic to the skillet and boil until the liquid is reduced to ½ cup, about 3 minutes.
• Season with coarse sea salt and pepper and let cool.
• Add the squid and its liquid, the peas, tomatoes, basil and thyme to the rice and toss.
• Season with salt and pepper if desired.
• Let stand for at least 20 minutes before serving.
• This salad is best at room temperature.