Sweet Saffron Rice Recipe
Indian Recipes

Ingredients:

250 g/8 oz/11/2 cups
1 tsp
3 tbsp
3 tbsp
6
6
7.5 cm/3 inch
90 g/3 oz/1/2 cup
3 tbsp

basmati rice
saffron threads
boiling water
vegetable oil
cloves
green cardamom pods, bruised
cinnamon stick
raisins
sugar
salt
parsley springs, to garnish

Method:

1. Place rice in a sieve and wash under cold running water until water runs clear.
   

2. Put rice in a bowl with 625 ml/20fl oz/21/2 cups water and soak for 30 minutes. Put saffron in a small bowl, add boiling water and leave to soak for 5 minutes. Heat oil in a heavy-based saucepan, add cloves, cardamom pods and cinnamon and fry for 1 minute. Add rice and reserve the soaking water. Add rice to the pan and fry for 2-3 minutes, until opaque and light golden.
   

3. Stir in reserved water, saffron and its soaking water, raisins and sugar and season with salt. bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 12-15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until liquid is absorbed and rice is very tender. Serve hot, garnished with parsley.

Serves 4

Note: The whole spices in the rice are not meant to be eaten.