Saffron Steamed Plain Basmati Rice Recipes

PERSIAN RICE WITH SAFFRON AND POTATO CRISPY CRUST

Steps:

• In a medium-sized bowl soak rice with water.
• Gently wash the rice by stirring the rice in the water with your hand. This helps wash some of the starch and grit out. Pour out the water and repeat two more times.
• After washing the rice a third time, rinse and then cover rice with water and add 1 TBS salt.
• In a small bowl combine crushed saffron with 1 TBS hot water and set aside.
• In a 5-quart non-stick pot add 8 cups of water and 1 TBS salt and bring to boil.
• When the water has come to boil, pour out the water in the bowl containing the soaking rice. Add the wet rice to the boiling water.
• When the water comes to boil again and the rice floats to the top of the pot (approx. 6 mins), pour the contents of the pot into a fine colander. You know your rice is ready to strain if you bite a rice kernel and the center is still uncooked.
• Return the pot to the burner, set heat to medium and add 1 1/2 TBS oil.
• If using coriander seeds, sprinkle them on the bottom of the pot, and arrange potato slices over them.
• Using a spatula, gently scoop the drained rice into the pot. Make sure you do not push the rice in together as this will result in mushy rice. Scatter the rice throughout the pot, in a pyramid shape until finished. Your pot should not be filled to the top. You will need about 3 inches between the top of your rice and the top of the pot. If you must tap the rice off of your spatula, do not tap it against the pot. This will move the rice in the pot and press them together. Tap your spatula against the colander.
• Using the handle of a long wooden spoon or another utensil, gently press several holes around the rice down to the potato crust. This will allow the steam to travel freely through the pot. Pour the saffron mixture over the top of the rice.
• Drizzle over the rice with 1 TBS oil. You can also cut 2 TBS butter into small pieces and dot along the top of the rice.
• Pour the saffron water on top of the rice. When you serve the rice, the white and yellow rice will be mixed together. NOTE: If you want all of the saffron rice on top of the white rice when you serve, do not pour the saffron water now. Save it until you are ready to serve. Scoop out about 1 cup of cooked rice and place in a bowl, pour in saffron water and mix until all yellow. Transfer rest of white rice onto serving platter and pour yellow saffron rice over it (as pictured)
• Cover the lid of your pot with a clean towel or several paper towels, and set firmly over your pot to prevent steam from escaping. The towel will keep the condensation from dropping back into your rice and turning the rice into mush.
• After 7 minutes, lower the heat to low and let the rice finish cooking for another 45 mins. You will know your rice is done because it has fluffed up. Another trick to see if your rice is down is to lick your finger and quickly touch your wet finger against the side of the hot pot. If you hear a sizzle sound, your rice is done (and hopefully your finger isn't burned!).
• To serve, you can place a large round platter over the top of the pot, then carefully invert the pot and remove gently. This will create a cake-effect, with the potato crust showing on top. Or, you can use a spatula to gently remove the rice and scatter on your serving platter, creating a pyramid-effect, placing the crunchy potatoes on top or surrounding the rice.

BASMATI RICE WITH SAFFRON

Steps:

• Pour the rice into a medium-sized pot.
• Fill up the pot halfway and rinse the water. Discard the water.
• Repeat this step 2-3 times to rinse the rice unit the water becomes clear. Again, discard the water.
• Add the 4 cups of water, vegetable oil and salt.
• Bring the pot to a boil over high heat.
• Allow the water to continue to boil until it has been absorbed by the rice and you no longer see any water over top of the rice (roughly 5 minutes).
• Turn the heat down to low and cover the rice.
• Cook for 30-40 minutes.
• Create a saffron-infused garnish: Grind a pinch of saffron using a mortar and pestle. If you don't have one of those, just grind it in a small bowl using the back of a small spoon. Next, add a 1 tsp. of hot water and mix evenly. Take 1/2 cup of the cooked rice and add it in. Mix well until rice is fully combined and becomes a beautiful yellow colour.

SAFFRON STEAMED PLAIN BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• 1. Pick over the rice carefully to remove its many small solid particles of grit.
• 2. Wash the rice by placing it in a large container and covering it with lukewarm water. Agitate gently with your hand, then pour off the water. Repeat five times until the rice is completely clean.
• 3. In a large nonstick pot, bring 8 cups of water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil. Add the rice to the pot and boil briskly for 6 to 10 minutes, gently stirring twice with a wooden spoon to loosen any grains that stick to the bottom. Once the rice rises to the top of the pot, it is done.
• 4. Drain the rice in a large, fine-mesh strainer and rinse with 3 cups lukewarm water.
• 5. In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup oil, 2 spatulas full of the rice, the yogurt, 1/2 cup lukewarm water, and 1 tablespoon of saffron water. Spread this mixture over the bottom of the rice pot. This will form the golden crust, or tah dig.
• 6. One spatulaful at a time, gently mound the remaining rice onto the tah dig layer. Shape it into a pyramid to leave room for the rice's expansion.
• 7. Cover the pot and cook the rice for 10 minutes over medium heat.
• 8. Mix 1 cup cold water with 4 tablespoons oil and pour over rice. Sprinkle on the remaining saffron water. Place a clean dishtowel or 2 layers of paper towel over the pot to absorb condensation, and cover with the lid to prevent steam from escaping. Reduce the heat to low and cook 50 minutes longer.
• 9. Remove the pot from the heat and cool it, still covered, on a damp surface for 5 minutes to loosen the crust.
• 10. There are two ways to serve the rice. The first is to hold the serving platter tightly over the uncovered pot and invert the two together, unmolding the entire mound onto the platter. The rice will emerge as a golden-crusted cake, to be garnished with edible flowers and herbs, then served in wedges. The second serving style is to spoon the rice into a pyramid on the serving platter, taking care not to disturb the bottom crust as you do so. After the pyramid is shaped, detach the crust with a wooden spatula and arrange it in pieces around the pyramid or serve it on a small side platter.
• NOTE: You can use any kind of pot to make this rice, but nonstick pots make unmolding the rice much easier.
• NOTE: If using American long-grain rice, wash the rice once only.
• NOTE: To reheat leftover rice, place it in a saucepan with 1/2 cup water and place over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Rice Cooker Method
• Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 1 1/4 hours
• 3 cups long-grain white basmati rice 4 cups cold water 1 tablespoon salt 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, butter, or ghee 1/4 teaspoon ground saffron threads, dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water
• 1. Pick over and wash the rice as per the master recipe above.
• 2. In the rice cooker, combine the rice, water, salt, and oil. Gently stir with a wooden spoon until the salt has dissolved. Start the rice cooker.
• 3. After 1 1/4 hours, pour saffron water over the rice. Unplug the rice cooker.
• 4. Keep the cooker covered and allow it to cool for 10 minutes.
• 5. Remove the lid, hold the serving platter tightly over the pot and invert the two together, unmolding the entire mound onto the platter. The rice will emerge as a golden-crusted cake, to be garnished with edible flowers and herbs, then served in wedges. NUSH-E JAN!
• NOTE: If using American long-grain rice, wash the rice once only and use only 3 cups of water in Step 2.
• Variation:Saffron Steamed Brown Basmati RiceFor 3 cups of brown basmati rice, use 6 3/4 cups water in Step 2. The amounts of salt, oil, and saffron water remain the same.
• Najmieh Batmanglij shares her tips with Epicurious:
• •Batmanglij highly recommends using a rice cooker for this recipe - it's easier, and the nonstick, evenly heating surface ensures a good crust. She favors the National Deluxe brand - if you're using a different brand, check the instructions, as you may need to change the measurements and cooking times. •Though many Iranians now use vegetable oil, clarified butter (ghee) is Iran's traditional cooking fat. To make it, start with a third more unsalted butter than you will need for the recipe. Melt the butter over low heat, then increase the heat to medium low and simmer the butter, without stirring, until it stops crackling and the milk solids brown and drop to the bottom. Skim off any foam from the top, and strain the ghee through a colander lined with cheesecloth. Ghee will keep at room temperature, covered, for several months. •Batmanglij prefers Persian full-fat drained yogurt, which is thicker than the American variety. American nonfat yogurt can be substituted for a less rich flavor. •Batmanglij recommends buying saffron in thread form rather than powder, which is often adulterated with turmeric. Before they can be used in a recipe, the threads must be ground with a cube of sugar, using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, and then diluted in hot water. "The saffron water can then be stored and used as needed," says Batmanglij. "Never use the unground threads."

SAFFRON STEAMED BASMATI RICE (PERSIAN POLOW)

Steps:

• Dissolve the saffron threads in 4 tablespoons hot water and set aside to soak.
• Wash the basmati rice twice and soak in salted warm water for 2-3 hours.
• Drain the water.
• Pour enough water into a large pan until pan is half-full. Bring to the boil.
• Add the drained rice and 1 tablespoon salt. Continue boiling until rice is slightly softened, about 10 minutes.
• Drain rice and wash it slightly with warm water.
• Pour 3 tablespoons of grapeseed oil into the pan and add the rice.
• Mix the remaining grapeseed oil with the saffron water and pour *half* this mixture over the rice.
• Cover pan and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes. A golden crust (tadiq) will form on the bottom.
• Sprinkle the remaining saffron water and oil mixture over the rice.
• Reduce heat to low and cover the top of the pan with two layers of paper towels ( I used a double layer of muslin cloth).
• Cover pan firmly with the cover and cook 45 minutes WITHOUT removing lid.
• Remove pot from heat and let rest 5 minutes.
• Turn the rice out on a large serving platter with the golden crust on top.

SAFFRON RICE WITH TAHDIG

Steps:

• Place the rice in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Swish the water a couple times with your hands, then rinse the rice in a large mesh sieve or colander with small drainage holes. Repeat the process until the water runs clear. Put the rice back in the bowl and cover with 3 cups cold water along with 1 tablespoon salt; give it a couple of stirs. Let soak 1 hour.
• Add 8 cups water and the remaining 3 tablespoons salt to a large saucepot and bring to a boil. Drain the rice and add it to the boiling water, giving a stir. Let cook until the water begins to bubble again, about 3 minutes. Check the rice: It should be al dente (soft on the outside with a slight bite in the center). If still not al dente, cook 1 to 2 minutes more. Drain the rice and rinse briefly with warm water. Taste the rice: If it seems too salty, rinse it again. Set the rice aside in the sieve.
• Stir the saffron and 3 tablespoons hot water together in a small cup.
• Place a 6-quart nonstick pot over medium-high heat. Add the ghee and half of the saffron water. Swirl to melt and completely coat the bottom and slightly up the sides of the pot. When the ghee begins to sizzle, add enough rice to coat the bottom of the pot evenly, about 1 1/2 inches high. Press down gently but firmly with a spatula or a measuring cup to compact the rice and press about 2 inches up the sides to form a crust. Gently spoon the remaining rice over the top, forming a small mound in the center. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, make 6 deep holes to vent steam down into the rice, stopping before hitting the bottom of the pot. Cover the pot with the lid and cook for about 10 minutes (you will see steam coming from underneath the lid).
• Whisk the melted butter together with the remaining saffron water. Remove the lid from the pot, being careful not to drip condensation back into the pot. Turn the heat to low. Wrap the lid with a clean kitchen towel, securing at the top to keep loose ends away from the fire. Drizzle the saffron butter into the rice. Cover with the lid and continue to cook, rotating the pot every so often for even browning, until the crust is deeply golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and remove the lid. Let stand 5 minutes, then check that the bottom is detached from the pot with an offset spatula, loosening it gently if necessary. Place a platter over the top of the pot, using kitchen towels to hold the sides, and in one quick motion, invert the pot and the rice onto the platter. Serve immediately.

BASMATI RICE WITH CINNAMON SAFFRON

Steps:

• Place the saffron on a piece of foil. Fold some of the foil over the saffron and crush it with a rolling pin or wooden potato masher. Put the crushed saffron in a small cup. Add the hot milk, cardamom, and sugar. Mix with a toothpick or the handle of a small spoon and set aside for 3 hours.
• Put the rice in a bowl and wash in several changes of water. Drain, add fresh water to cover generously, and leave to soak for 30 minutes. Drain.
• Pour the oil in a heavy, lidded pan that will just hold the cooked rice comfortably and set over medium heat. When the oil is hot, put in the cinnamon sticks. Stir for 10 seconds, then add the rice. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir the rice around until the grain looks translucent, about 2 minutes. Add 2 2/3 cups of water and the salt. Bring to a boil. Cover. Reduce the heat to very, very low and cook for 25 minutes. Turn off the heat. Lift the lid and quickly dribble the saffron milk in any haphazard pattern. Quickly cover again and leave for 10 minutes. Mix the rice very delicately with a slotted spoon before serving.

SAFFRON BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the rice in a colander under cold water until it runs clear, picking out any little pieces of grit or debris. Shake off the excess water. Heat a pot over medium heat, and then add the rice, oil, garlic, saffron and cayenne pepper. Stir and toast the rice until the cayenne and saffron are fragrant, about 4 minutes. Shake the pot to level out the rice, and then add the chicken stock to fill about 1/2-inch over the rice. Bring to a boil, and then lower to a simmer and cover to cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the rice stand another 5 minutes, covered. Fluff with a fork. Stir in the almond slivers and lemon zest, season with salt and pepper and serve.