Savory Saffron And Almond Rice Recipes

SAFFRON RICE

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion and cook, stirring, until softened, 4 minutes. Stir in 2 cups basmati rice, 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads. Add 1 1/2 cups each water and low-sodium chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, 15 minutes. Let sit, covered, 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and 2 sliced scallions.

SAFFRON ALMOND RICE

Steps:

• Pour the rice and water into a small pot with a lid and add saffron, almonds, apricots and seasoning.
• Stir gently and bring to a slow steady simmer, stir and cover with a tight fitting lid.
• Simmer for 15 minutes on low heat.
• Without opening the lid turn off the heat and let the pot rest at least five to ten minutes or so before serving. Enjoy!

GARLIC-ALMOND-SHERRY RICE WITH SAFFRON

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, saute garlic in olive oil until very lightly browned.
• Add rice and saute about 3 minutes.
• Combine water and sherry; add to rice and garlic in saucepan.
• Add almond extract and pinch of saffron.
• Bring to a boil, then cover tightly and cook over low heat for 20 minutes.
• Season with salt to taste.
• To serve, top with toasted almond slivers or slices.

SAFFRON RICE PILAF WITH APRICOTS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion, ground saffron and cloves and saut&5 minutes. Add rice and stir to coat grains. Mix in chicken stock, dried apricots and currants. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Fluff rice with fork. Add slivered almonds and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve.

SAVORY SAFFRON AND ALMOND RICE

Steps:

• 1. In a medium bowl, soak the rice in the water, about 30 minutes. Put the almonds in a small skillet and roast, stirring and shaking the skillet, over medium heat until a few shades darker, about 1 minute. Reserve for garnish. Soak the saffron in the milk about 15 minutes.2. Heat the ghee (or oil) in a large nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat and sauté the ginger, cumin, cardamom, and black pepper, about 1 minute. Add the rice with the water it was soaking in. Mix in the salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pan (partially at first, until the foam subsides, then snugly), and cook until the rice is done, about 8 to 10 minutes.3. Uncover the pan, sprinkle the saffron milk over the rice, then cover the pan and cook another 5 minutes to blend the flavors. Do not stir the rice while it cooks. Remove from the heat and let the rice rest undisturbed about 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, lightly mix in the garam masala, then scatter the roasted almonds and the pistachios on top and serve.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

SAFFRON QUINOA WITH DRIED CHERRIES AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Crush saffron, if using, with the handle of a wooden spoon (or crush between your fingers) in a small bowl until a powder forms. Add 1 Tbsp. hot water. Swirl gently; set aside to steep.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large pot over medium-high. Add almonds, cinnamon, cayenne, and 1/4 tsp. salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer almonds to a small bowl; reserve oil in pot.
• Heat oil in pot over medium-high. Add onion and remaining 2 Tbsp. oil and 1 1/2 tsp. salt, reduce heat to medium, and cook until onion is light brown and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add quinoa and cook, tossing to coat, until fragrant and beginning to brown, 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in 4 cups water, cover pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until quinoa is cooked and water is absorbed, 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat, sprinkle cherries over, cover, and let sit 10 minutes.
• Transfer 2 cups quinoa mixture to a medium bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup toasted almonds, then toss remaining almonds with remaining quinoa mixture and transfer to a platter. Toss quinoa in bowl with saffron water until coated, then garnish platter with saffron quinoa. Top with remaining toasted almonds.
• Do Ahead
• Quinoa, with cherries, can be cooked 3 days ahead. Transfer to a resealable container and chill. Reheat over low on stovetop or in a 300°F oven until warmed.

RICE WITH ALMONDS AND RAISINS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion, stirring, until tender. Stir in the rice, raisins, broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed. Stir in almonds before serving.

CLASSIC SAFFRON RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the rice well, drain.
• In a medium size saucepan, add the rinsed rice and remaining ingredients.
• Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat.
• Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until stock is absorbed and rice is tender.
• Fluff with fork and serve.

SAFFRON ALMOND RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat broth and water in a small saucepan over moderate heat until hot, then crumble saffron into liquid and stir. Remove from heat.
• Cook onion in butter in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add rice and cook, stirring, until fragrant and pale golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in saffron broth, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes, then fluff rice with a fork and fold in almonds.