Saffron Rice With Curried Apricot Dressing Recipes

PERSIAN SAFFRON RICE WITH APRICOT

Steps:

• Rinse the rice well under running cold water, then put the rice in a large bowl, cover it with lukewarm water and stir in 2 tablespoons of salt. Allow to soak for 1 to 2 hours. Drain and rinse again.
• Bring medium pot of water to a boil, add 2 more tablespoons of salt, then add the rice and boil gently for 3 to 4 minutes, until almost cooked (See Note 2). Drain, rinse and set aside to drain completely.
• In the same pan, melt 6 tablespoons of the butter and sauté the almonds until slightly golden, about 4 minutes (2 minutes if using Marcona almonds). Add the chopped dried apricots, cook for a 3 more minutes, then stir in half a teaspoon of white pepper, half teaspoon salt and half of the rice.
• Gently flatten down the rice, tapping to flatten using your fingers or spatula, then spoon the remaining rice on top.
• In a small bowl crush saffron threads and stir in 2 tablespoons of hot water. Allow saffron to bloom, set aside.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and pour over the top, along with 3 tablespoons of water. Cover the pan with a tight lid and cook on the lowest possible heat for 35 minutes (I use a heat diffuser on top of burner like when using a tagine). Turn off the heat, drizzle the saffron and its water over, cover with a tea towel, put the lid back on and set aside for 10 minutes.
• Serve hot, using a large spoon, scooping the two layers of rice together, or toss to mix.

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.

SAFFRON RICE WITH CURRANTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in the top part of a double boiler placed directly on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring, until onion is wilted. Add rice and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Add all remaining ingredients except the remaining butter and bring to a boil.
• Cover and place in the oven. Cook exactly 20 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the remaining butter. Cover.
• Assemble the double boiler; that is, place the pot containing the rice over simmering water in the bottom half of the double boiler and let stand until ready to serve.