Boost your rice with this scrumptious and simple yellow saffron rice recipe. Made with basmati rice, high-quality saffron threads and inventory, you’ll by no means return to your fundamental, boring rice recipe once more.

The opposite day I used to be chatting with my pal Sahar about how a lot we love saffron. To be honest, we have been discussing it extra within the context of skincare (notably this saffron facial serum) however Sahar was educating me about how saffron is commonly utilized in skincare and haircare merchandise in Pakistan and India. It acquired me fascinated about one in every of my favourite saffron recipes, this straightforward saffron rice recipe, which I used to make on a regular basis.
Just a little secret for you: One of many causes I ended making saffron rice as typically was as a result of once we moved to California I couldn’t simply go over to Mama Maven’s to steal a few of her saffron. As a result of in case you didn’t know, saffron is dear and in my early 20s I might nonetheless justify buying from my dad or mum’s pantry.
However now I’m a full-fledged grownup and I actually can’t justify it anymore. So I purchased a small quantity of saffron from an ethically sourced firm referred to as Rumi. I used to be 100% influenced by the identify however fortunately the product holds up and now this yellow saffron rice recipe is again on the meal plan.
The Historical past of Saffron Rice
Saffron rice is a standard dish throughout many areas of the world. Mostly it’s utilized in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and different elements of South Asia. It’s also present in Persian cooking throughout the Center Japanese cooking and even in different elements of Asia equivalent to in Thai cooking (the place it’s made with jasmine rice and combined with fish sauce).
Historically it’s made with white basmati rice and might be present in each candy & savory variations.
What’s saffron? Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus. Good high quality saffron has an earthy, floral taste. It will possibly style a bit candy to some. Poor high quality saffron can have a bitter style to it so keep away from a budget stuff when you can. Saffron strands is what provides yellow saffron rice its yellow shade.
Substances for Saffron Rice Recipe
- Basmati rice – persist with white basmati rice for saffron rice or white jasmine rice if that’s all you’ve. Typically I’d suggest utilizing an extended grain rice.
- Rooster broth/inventory – you may also use vegetable broth if vegan or vegetarian.
- Olive oil – Ideally further virgin olive oil. Helps give a richer style to this yellow saffron rice recipe.
- Saffron – often bought as saffron threads.
- Turmeric – for taste and likewise for shade.
- Sea Salt – add kind of relying on taste choice and sodium ranges.
Ideas for Cooking with Saffron
1. Put money into good high quality saffron – saffron could be a bit dear however it’s essential to put money into good-quality saffron. The pretend stuff lacks the true fragrant flavors and simply isn’t value it. Additionally look to buy honest commerce from areas of the world the place saffron is usually grown – Today 90% of saffron is grown in Iran.
2. Just a little bit goes a great distance – although saffron might be costly (it’s often called the world’s costliest spice!), a bit of bit goes a great distance so you don’t want to buy loads of it. You simply want a 1/4 tsp of saffron which comes out to roughly a pinch of saffron.
3. At all times soak your saffron in scorching water – this helps to launch the fragrant flavors which can be then infused into your saffron rice.
Easy methods to Make this Saffron Rice Recipe
STEP 1: PREP SAFFRON
Add saffron to mortar and utilizing a pestle grind up saffron till it reaches a powdery consistency. Add your 1/4 cup of scorching water on to the pestle and stir to mix. Put aside.

STEP 2: COOK RICE
Add your hen or vegetable inventory to a medium saucepan or pot and convey to a boil over medium-high warmth. As soon as the inventory is boiling add in your saffron/water combine, olive oil, turmeric and salt. Stir nicely. Add rice and convey combination again as much as a boil. As soon as boiling, decrease warmth to a simmer and canopy tightly with a lid. Simmer on low for quarter-hour.

STEP 3: FINISH COOKING + FLUFF
Flip off warmth and let rice sit, coated with lid for 5-10 minutes till all liquid has been absorbed. Take away lid and fluff rice with a fork.

Storing Leftovers
Leftovers might be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Rice is mostly higher contemporary however you’ll be able to warmth up leftovers within the microwave when you have some.
What to Pair with Saffron Rice
There are such a lot of methods to make use of this yellow saffron rice recipe. You possibly can change your common rice recipe or pair with any of those scrumptious recipes listed under.
Straightforward Saffron Rice Recipe
Boost your rice with this scrumptious and simple saffron rice recipe. Made with basmati rice, high-quality saffron threads and inventory, you’ll by no means return to your fundamental, boring rice recipe once more.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: 25 minutes
- Whole Time: half-hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Class: Facet
- Technique: Cook dinner
- Delicacies: Persian
- Weight loss plan: Gluten Free
- 2 cups white basmati rice
- 3 1/4 cups hen inventory (or vegetable inventory)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp saffron threads (+ 1/4 cup scorching water)
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 3/4 tsp sea salt
- Add saffron to mortar and utilizing a pestle grind up saffron till it reaches a powdery consistency.
- Add your 1/4 cup of scorching water on to the pestle and stir to mix. Put aside.
- Add your hen or vegetable inventory to a medium saucepan and convey to a boil on the range high over medium-high warmth.
- As soon as the inventory is boiling add in your saffron/water combine, olive oil, turmeric and salt. Stir nicely.
- Add rice and convey combination again as much as a boil. As soon as boiling, decrease warmth to a simmer and canopy tightly with a lid.
- Simmer on low for quarter-hour.
- Flip off warmth and let rice sit, coated with lid for 5-10 minutes till all liquid has been absorbed.
- Take away lid and fluff rice with a fork.
Key phrases: saffron rice, turmeric rice, yellow rice, saffron rice recipe

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