Saffron Rice

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 cups uncooked basmati rice
• 1 teaspoon crushed saffron thread
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 6 whole cardamom pods
• 4 whole cloves
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 bay leaves
• 1/2 cup golden raisin
• 3 cups boiling vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds

Recipe

• 1 rinse rice in 2-4 changes of cold water, until it runs clear. set aside.
• 2 soak saffron threads in 2 tablespoons boiling water.
• 3 melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; add cardamom, cloves and cinnamon and fry 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. stir in onion and saute, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes. add rice, reduce heat to low and saute 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until rice is opaque, is beginning to smell nutty and is just beginning to turn a little golden.
• 4 add bay leaves and raisins to pot. pour in the boiling broth and stir in the salt and saffron.
• 5 cover tightly and simmer 20-25 minutes. or until rice is cooked and all liquid is absorbed. fluff with a fork, then turn out into a serving dish. remove and discard cardamom pods, whole cloves and cinnamon sticks. sprinkle with slivered almonds.