Braised Rice With Saffron Recipes

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.

SAFFRON RISOTTO

Steps:

• Combine the chicken stock and saffron in a saucepan over moderate heat and bring to a simmer.
• Heat the olive oil in a separate pot over moderate heat.
• Add the onion and cook until tender but not brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes.
• Add the wine and simmer over low heat until most of the wine is absorbed.
• Add the chicken broth about 3/4 cup (180 ml) at a time, allowing most of the liquid to be absorbed before adding more, and stirring frequently as it cooks.
• When most of the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is cooked "al dente," about 20 minutes, remove from the heat and stir in the butter and Parmesan cheese.
• Serve immediately.

BRAISED CHICKEN AND RICE WITH ORANGE, SAFFRON, ALMOND, AND PISTACHIO SYRUP

Steps:

• Rinse the rice in a sieve under cold running water until the water runs clear; put to one side.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and throw in the onions. Cook over medium heat until they soften and turn golden. Season the chicken thighs and add them to the pan. Brown on all sides, then pour in 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook until the chicken is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel the zest from the orange with a potato peeler, then cut it into matchstick strips. Blanch in a small pan of boiling water for a couple of minutes, then drain.
• Dissolve the sugar in 1/2 cup (scant) water in a small, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, then bring to a boil and let bubble to reduce and thicken for 5 to 10 minutes until syrupy. Add the orange zest, slivered almonds, and pistachios and boil for 5 minutes, skimming off any froth. Strain the syrup and return to the pan; set aside the orange zest and nuts. Add the saffron and rose water to the syrup and boil again for 3 minutes, then add the cardamom seeds.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Strain the stock from the chicken thighs and add the syrup to it. Make this up to 3 cups with more water. Bring it to a boil in an ovenproof casserole and add the rice. Season and add two-thirds of the orange zest and nuts, keeping the rest to one side. Bring back to a boil, then cover and simmer until the rice is cooked. The liquid should have all been absorbed by now.
• Bury the chicken and onions in the rice and add the fava beans and peas, if you are including them. Put the lid on and cook in the oven for 20 minutes.
• Serve straight from the pan or, if you prefer, in a large, warmed serving dish. Sprinkle the last third of the orange zest and nuts over the top before bringing it to the table.

HERB RICE WITH GREEN GARLIC, SAFFRON, AND CRISPY SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Place rice in a large bowl and pour in lukewarm water to cover. Using your hands, agitate rice until water becomes cloudy; drain. Repeat process until water stays clear (4-5 times). Cover rice with 6 cups cold water and add a generous handful of salt (water should taste salty). Let soak uncovered at room temperature at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
• Meanwhile, pour oil into a medium saucepan to come about 2" up sides. Add shallots and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallots are golden and crisp, 10-12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer shallots to paper towels and season with salt. Strain oil into a small bowl; let cool.
• Toss cilantro, dill, parsley, mint, and tarragon in a medium bowl; set aside 1 cup for serving. Dissolve saffron in 2 Tbsp. hot water in a small bowl.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (use a nonstick pot if you have one; it will help the rice release at the end). Drain rice and add to pot, stirring gently to prevent any grains from sticking to the bottom. Bring to a boil and cook until grains begin to float on the surface and dance (rice should be almost tender but with a firm, opaque center), about 4 minutes. Drain rice and rinse under cold water. Spread out on a rimmed baking sheet. Wash out pot.
• Pour 3 Tbsp. shallot oil into clean pot. Swirl in 2 tsp. saffron water; reserve remaining saffron water for serving. Oil mixture should barely coat bottom of pot; add more oil if needed. Season lightly with salt. Lay lavash across pot (it can go up the sides a little, but don't overlap). Spoon a third of rice over lavash; top with a third of herbs and a third of green garlic. Repeat, alternating layers of rice, herbs, and green garlic to form a mound. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke several holes in rice (without hitting bottom of pot) to let steam escape. Wrap lid with a kitchen towel and cover pot. Cook over medium heat until herbs are slightly darkened, 10-15 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, uncover and pour melted butter evenly over rice. Cover and cook until rice is fragrant and fluffy, 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat; let sit 10 minutes. Taste rice and season with more salt if needed.
• Scoop 1 1/2 cups rice into reserved saffron water and toss to color rice. Layer saffron rice with rice in pot, reserved herbs, and crispy shallots. Top with rose petals if using. Break up lavash crust into pieces and serve alongside rice.

SAFFRON RISOTTO WITH LEMONY BRAISED SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large oven-proof skillet or 9x13 baking dish, toss the radishes, beets, leeks and carrots, and 2 cloves of minced garlic with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 teaspoons sea salt. Arrange in an even layer (overlapping is fine), and drizzle 1/4 cup of wine and the lemon juice over the veggies. Braise in the oven for 1 hour, redistributing the vegetables once halfway through, until they are fork tender but still have a slight crisp bite.
• Meanwhile, make the risotto: heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep saucepan. Sauté the onions over medium high heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining 2 cloves of minced garlic, the saffron threads and the rice. Cook for 2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant and the rice has started to lightly toast. Pour in the remaining 1/2 cup wine and 1 teaspoon sea salt. When nearly all absorbed, add 1 cup of the stock. Bring to a simmer then turn the heat down to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally until nearly al absorbed. Repeat this process, adding stock by ½ cup, until the rice is tender, about 25 minutes.
• To serve, spoon the risotto onto plates, top with the braised vegetables, and garnish with the chives.

BRAISED RICE WITH SAFFRON

Steps:

• Bring the chicken stock to a simmer in a 2-3 quart saucepan and keep it barely simmering over low heat.
• In a heavy 3qt flamproof casserole, melt 4 tbls butter over moderate heat. Cook the onions in the butter, stirring frequently, for 7-8 minutes. Do not let them brown.
• Stir in the optional marrow, then add the rice and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes, or until the grains glisten with the butter and are somewhat opaque.
• Pour in the wine and boil it until it is almost completely absorbed.
• Add 2 cups of the simmering stock to the rice and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until almost all of the liquid is absored.
• Add 2 more cups of stock and cook, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, stir the saffron into 2 cups of stock and let it steep for a few minutes.
• Pour it over the rice. Cook until the stock is completely absorbed.
• By now the rice should be tender. If it is still firm, add the remaining stock- 1/2 cup at a time - and continue cooking and stirring until the rice is soft.
• Stir in 4 tabl of soft butter and the grated cheese with a fork, taking care not to mash the rice.
• Serve at once while the rice is creamy and piping hot.