Savory Saffron And Almond Rice Recipes

SAFFRON RICE PILAF WITH TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan on medium-low heat, toast almonds until they turn a golden-brown color. Remove from saucepan and set aside.
• In the same saucepan on medium heat, melt butter.
• Add vermicelli noodles and brown for 1 minute.
• Add rice and brown for 1-2 additional minutes being careful not to burn noodles or rice.
• Add seasoned salt, saffron, toasted almonds and chicken broth and bring to a boil.
• Cover saucepan and reduce heat to lowest setting. Cook covered for 16 minutes.
• Remove lid and fluff with a fork.

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!

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.

APRICOT ALMOND PILAF

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onion and carrot until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in basmati rice and salt; cook and stir until rice is slightly opaque, about 3 minutes.
• Pour in water; stir to combine. Mix in saffron threads, rose water, apricots, and almonds; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice has absorbed the liquid, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow pilaf to stand covered for 10 more minutes. Stir before serving.