Best Saffron Almond Rice Recipes

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.

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.

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.

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.