Best Spiced Saffron Rice Recipes

KASHMIRI CHICKEN, CARDAMOM AND SAFFRON PILAU: SPICED INDIAN RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the basmati rice several times in cold water and drain in a colander - leave to dry.
• Heat half of the oil (1 tablespoon) in a large pan and add half of the onion (1 onion), the garlic, ginger and cumin seeds. Fry them over a gentle heat for about 5 minutes.
• Add the chicken pieces and brown them - turning them regularly to achieve a good colour all over.
• Add the saffron, boiling water, cardamom pods, mint, garam masala and cinnamon stick. Bring it all to the boil and then cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is tender.
• Transfer all the contents to a bowl and rinse out the pan.
• Add the remaining oil and onion to the pan and fry until the onion is lightly coloured. Add the rice and stir it well, cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until the rice is opaque.
• Add the chicken mixture, tomatoes and sultanas - then season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir gently, then shake the pan to level the ingredients.
• Add sufficient boiling water to come about 3/4" above the rice mixture. Cover with a tight fitting lid and cook gently over a low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid has all been absorbed.
• Discard the cinnamon stick and transfer to a warm serving dish, sprinkle with the toasted almonds and serve immediately.

GOLDEN SAFFRON AND CARDAMOM SPICED CHICKEN & RICE PILAU

Steps:

• Marinate the chicken in the yogurt, lemon, cinnamon, small pinch of garam masala, and grated ginger for about 1 hour. Soak the saffron threads in the chicken stock.
• Shake the excess marinade off the chicken. In a large Dutch oven or Le Creuset over medium-high heat, fry the meat with a spoonful or so of oil (do this in batches so that the chicken becomes nicely golden in color). Remove chicken and browned bits to a plate, cover with aluminum foil to keep warm and set aside.
• In the same pan, melt the butter with 1 tablespoon of the oil and add the rice, stirring to coat until glossy. Pour in the saffron and chicken stock, add the sultanas, cardamom pods, rose water, lemon juice and zest and bring the pan to the boil, then clamp on the lid and turn the heat down to very low. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, by which time the rice should have absorbed the liquid and be cooked through.
• Add the chicken and the browned bits to the rice, stirring gently to combine.
• Toast the almonds by shaking them in a dry frying pan over a medium heat until they color and begin to give off their fragrance, then add to the pilaf along with the chopped parsley. Pile everything onto a plate and add a fabulously green sprinkling of slivered or roughly chopped pistachios.

SPICED SAFFRON RICE

Steps:

• In a large bowl wash rice in several changes of cold water until the water runs clear and drain it in a fine sieve. In a large heavy saucepan heat the oil over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking, add the cinnamon stick, the cloves, and the cardamom pods, if using, and fry the spices, stirring, for 30 seconds, or until the cloves are puffed slightly. Add rice and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute, or until the rice is opaque. Add 2 1/4 cups water and the salt, bring the mixture to a boil, and cook the rice, covered, over low heat for 15 minutes.
• While the rice is cooking, in a heatproof bowl set over a small pan of simmering water heat the saffron for 3-4 minutes, or until it is brittle. Add milk, heat the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it is hot, and remove the pan from the heat. Drizzle the saffron mixture over the rice and continue to cook the rice, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the rice stand, covered, for 5 minutes.

ONE POT SAFFRON RICE WITH SPICED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425˚ F. Mix the saffron and 1 tablespoon hot water in a bowl; set aside to steep. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt; cook, stirring, until golden brown and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove to a small bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Season the chicken on both sides with the cumin and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Add to the Dutch oven and cook, turning once, until lightly browned on both sides, 6 to 8 minutes; remove to a plate.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the pot along with the ginger and garlic and cook until toasted, about 30 seconds. Stir in the rice until well coated, then pour in the chicken broth, 1/2 cup water, the saffron with its liquid, ½ teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a simmer, then stir, lay the chicken on top and cover. Transfer the pot to the oven and cook until the chicken is cooked through and the rice has absorbed the liquid, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Add the peas to the rice; fluff with a fork. Season the yogurt with a pinch each of salt and pepper. Slice the chicken and serve with the rice. Drizzle with the yogurt and top with the shallots.