Saffron Rice with Nuts & Raisins

A basic Saffron Rice Pilaf with Nuts and raisins recipe. Made in a single pot, it comes collectively in underneath half-hour. Make it on the stovetop or within the on the spot pot; it’s weeknight-friendly and nice for friends!

A basic Saffron Rice Pilaf with Nuts & Raisins recipe that’s foolproof! It’s additionally simple to double, making it good for serving friends with confidence. It’s examined to perfection!

This easy, one-pot aspect dish is a go-to recipe for particular events or if you wish to add a contact of magnificence to a meal. It’s particularly good on busy days if you need one thing scrumptious with minimal effort.

This dish is loved by everybody in my household, making it a wonderful aspect dish for household meals. It requires just some key components—basmati rice, nuts, raisins, and fragrant spices—most of which you seemingly have already got in your pantry.

This savory Saffron rice is way totally different than the candy model referred to as Zarda or Meethe Chawal. It pairs properly as a aspect with kebabs and curries.

Watch The best way to Make Saffron Rice with Nuts & Raisins

Saffron Rice with Nuts & Raisins

Saffron Rice Pilaf with Nuts & Raisins is a well-liked dish in South Asian delicacies, celebrated for its wealthy flavors and exquisite presentation. It is usually a well-liked Mediterranean and Center Japanese aspect dish.

This dish is made by cooking basmati rice with a mixture of toasted nuts, candy raisins, and fragrant spices, leading to a scrumptious and visually pleasing one-pot meal.

In contrast to biryani, one other well-known rice dish, this saffron rice pilaf is often much less advanced in preparation and lighter in taste, with a contact of sweetness. Whereas biryani entails layering partially cooked rice with marinated meat or greens after which cooking them collectively, rice pilaf is made by cooking all of the components in a single pot from begin to end.

The key to nice Saffron Rice lies in utilizing high-quality basmati rice, correctly toasting the nuts and raisins to reinforce their flavors, and including simply the correct amount of spices and saffron to infuse the dish with its signature aroma and style.

Why You’ll Love This Rice Pilaf?

• It’s a ONE-POT meal.
• Making ready takes lower than half-hour, making it good for busy days or last-minute friends.
• The mix of complete spices, nuts, and saffron creates flavors that can go away you craving extra.
• It may be served as a aspect dish with any meal.
• This dish may be made vegan by merely changing ghee with coconut oil.

So subsequent time you’re searching for a tasty and simple aspect dish, do that SAFFRON RICE! You gained’t remorse it!

Elements

• Rice: That is the primary a part of the dish! I used long-gram basmati rice, however any long-grain rice would work. Alternatively, you need to use sella basmati rice.
• Saffron: A pinch of saffron provides a vibrant shade and distinctive taste. Use heat water to infuse saffron threads.
• Ghee or Oil: Ghee is a necessary ingredient in pulao. You’ll be able to substitute it with dairy-free butter or coconut oil to maintain it dairy-free. Olive oil additionally works nice on this recipe in case you are making it for a Center Japanese meal.
• Nuts & Raisins: Add numerous nuts and raisins to this recipe. I’ve used cashews, almonds, and pistachios right here. Provides crunch, richness, taste, and nuttiness to the pulao. With the addition of some candy raisins or currants, the dish is lightened and makes a incredible accompaniment at any time of the 12 months.
• Entire Spices: The combo of complete spices (bay leaf, cinnamon, inexperienced cardamom, cloves) used on this recipe is important to its aroma. I’ve listed those I like to make use of, however be at liberty to experiment and add or subtract some to fit your palate.
• Onion: I’ve used yellow onion right here, however crimson onion works simply as properly.
• Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic. In case you desire, you need to use store-bought garlic paste.

The best way to Make Saffron Rice?

Begin by finely chopping the almonds. Hold the pistachios, cashews, and raisins complete, as they are going to all be roasted collectively.

Soak rice and saffron:

• Rinse basmati rice in a bowl till the water runs largely clear. Soak the rice in water for 20 minutes, then drain.
• Heat water within the microwave or on the stovetop, then soak saffron in it.

Stovetop recipe:

• Warmth ghee in a nonstick pan or Dutch oven over medium-high warmth.
• Add cashews, slivered almonds, and pistachios. Sauté for a few minute till golden.
• Add the raisins to the pan, and sauté till they puff up. Take away the nuts and raisins collectively and put aside.

• Within the remaining ghee, add bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Sauté for 30 seconds to launch their aroma.
• Add diced onions and garlic, and sauté for about 3 minutes till frivolously golden.

• Add the rinsed rice together with salt and pepper and toast gently for two minutes, stirring continually.
• Add 1 3/4 cups of water and saffron water. Stir and convey to a boil.

• Cut back warmth to low, cowl, and cook dinner for 13-16 minutes or till all of the water is absorbed. Let it relaxation for one more 5 minutes with out stirring.

• Fluff the rice, combine within the toasted nuts and raisins, and serve heat.

On the spot Pot Saffron Rice

• Set the On the spot Pot to sauté mode and warmth ghee or coconut oil.
• Add cashews, slivered almonds, and pistachios. Sauté for a few minute till golden.
• Add the raisins to the pot, and sauté till they puff up. Take away the nuts and raisins collectively and put aside.

• Within the remaining ghee, add bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Sauté for 30 seconds to launch their aroma.

• Add diced onions, garlic, and sauté for about 3 minutes till frivolously golden.

• Add the rinsed rice, salt, and pepper, and toast gently for two minutes, stirring continually.

• Add saffron water and 1 1/4 cups of water. Press cancel and shut the lid with the vent within the sealing place.

• Set the On the spot Pot to strain cook dinner for 4 minutes at excessive strain. Let the strain launch naturally for five minutes, then launch any remaining strain manually. (If utilizing sella basmati rice, strain cook dinner for six minutes)
• Open the lid, fluff the rice with a fork, and add within the toasted nuts and raisins. Serve heat.

Stovetop strain cooker recipe:

• Comply with the identical steps because the On the spot Pot recipe so as to add the rice and water.
• Use 1 1/4 cups of water.
• Shut the lid and strain cook dinner for 1-2 whistles. Enable the strain to launch naturally.
• Open the lid, fluff the rice, and add within the toasted nuts and raisins. Serve heat.

Storage ideas

• To retailer leftover Rice Pilaf with Nuts & Raisins, let it cool utterly earlier than transferring it to an hermetic container. Hold it refrigerated for as much as 3-4 days, making certain the container is tightly sealed to maintain the pilaf recent and stop it from drying out.
• When reheating, sprinkle a little bit water over the Rice Pilaf with Nuts & Raisins so as to add moisture, then gently warmth it within the microwave or on the stovetop till warmed by way of. Keep away from overheating to stop the rice from turning into mushy, and benefit from the scrumptious flavors of pilaf as if freshly made.

Serving ideas

• When serving rice pilaf with nuts and raisins, contemplate pairing it with refreshing accompaniments like cucumber raita, mint chutney, a easy salad, or a tangy pickle to enrich its wealthy flavors.
• For a whole meal, serve alongside grilled or roasted meats, akin to tandoori hen or seekh kebabs, for a satisfying protein increase.
• Alternatively, get pleasure from this pilaf as a standalone dish topped with crispy fried onions, recent cilantro, and a squeeze of lemon juice for added brightness.
• For a vegetarian choice, pair Rice Pilaf with Nuts & Raisins with creamy lentil curry (dal) or blended vegetable curry (sabzi) for a hearty and nutritious feast.

This pilaf is right for particular events and festive meals.

Variations

• Veggies: Add greens like peas, carrots, or bell peppers for a nutritious twist.
• Use coconut milk: For a creamy texture, use 1/2 cup of coconut milk as an alternative of 1/2 cup of water from the required measurement.
• Spicy pulao: They are saying that spicy meals will increase one’s urge for food, and certainly, this Rice Pilaf with Nuts & Raisins dish may be elevated by including an additional kick of warmth. Add crimson chili powder and coriander powder, and you’ll improve the amount of black pepper to do the trick.
• Saffron different: Psst… saffron is the popular alternative, however in the event you can’t discover it, a minute pinch of yellow meals coloring or turmeric generally is a substitute, simply on this turmeric rice recipe. And I do imply the smallest pinch conceivable! It gained’t match saffron’s distinctive style, however it’s going to give your pilaf a contact of shade.