Dean & DeLuca is my first choice for buying the freshest dried herbs and spices. Each container is designer labeled, pleasing to the eye and reusable.
Vegan Dinners
Saffron Basmati Rice
A Side Dish For Any Indian Recipe
Saffron spice gives this basmati rice dish a flavorful boost. You can find saffron at Dean & Deluca along with all the other spices used in this recipe. I love the packaging of the spices at Dean & Deluca... you can also find many of the spices at Indian Food Stores. Just remember that you want spices that are FRESH! Make sure the places you purchase from are stores that have good product turnover with sales to insure the freshest products.
This rice is better when reheated the next day!
Ingredients
2 cups basmati rice
4 cups water
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 garlic cloves thinly sliced
8 whole cloves
12 whole green cardamoms
2 cinnamon sticks
12 whole black pepper corns
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon sea salt
3 heaping tablespoons currants or raisons
large pinch of saffron threads
Tools
measuring cups
measuring spoons
garlic slicing mandoline
silicon spatula
rice cooker or large sauce pan with lid
large heavy bottom skillet
small bowl
Preparation
Spice Preparation
In a dry heavy bottom skillet, dry roast all spices: cloves, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns, turmeric and sea salt. Stir this mixture in the pan over medium heat until the spices become aromatic... don't burn.
Scrape out the dry roasted spices into a bowl and set aside.
Rice Preparation
In the same skillet, add the olive oil and rice.
Over medium heat, stir the rice to coat all the grains with oil. Continue to stir the rice to toast the rice kernels... it should turn golden and smell wonderful!
Add the garlic and continue stirring until the garlic becomes translucent and slightly golden.
Rice Cooker
Pour the rice into a rice cooker and add 4 cups of water.
Add saffron threads.
Fold in the dry roasted spices and currants, give a little stir and close the lid.
Once the rice is done, remove the large cinnamon sticks, cardamoms, cloves and black peppers that floated to the top of the rice... count the black peppercorns, cardamom and cloves to insure diners from biting into one during the meal.
Basmati rice is delicate... so use a fork and gently fluff the rice before serving.
Presentation
I like to spray a custard cup with olive oil and then gently press the rice into the cup like a mold. I can then turn the cup upside down on the plate and the rice holds it's molded shape perfectly. Simply ladle the curry and veggies beside, over or around the rice.
Leftovers
Saffron Basmati Rice leftovers make a great India salad... add peas, tomatoes, cucumbers and give a toss. Salad dressing can be made out of left over Minty Onion Chutney or any other chutney you might have on hand. Just add some vinegar and dijon mustard to the chutney until you have the taste you want. Instant salad!
Recipes for A Complete India Dinner
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Copyright © 2004-2008 Betty A. Morgan | |