Sweet saffron rice (kesari bhaat)

4 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
1 cup Basmati rice (uncooked)
1 pinch Saffron threads Boiling water
2 cups Water or vegetable stock
1 Cinnamon stick
5 Whole cloves
¼ teaspoon Sea salt
½ cup Jaggery or light brown sugar
1 teaspoon Crushed cardamom seeds
¼ cup Slivered almonds
¼ cup Currants
2 tablespoons Canola oil

Directions

Place rice in a strainer and rinse with cool water until water runs clear. Set aside.

Place saffron in a small glass bowl, add boiling water and let soak for 10 to 15 minutes.

Stir together rice, 2 cups water, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. (Do not remove cover while cooking.) Remove from heat and set aside.

Simmer saffron water, jaggery and cardamom in a small saucepan over low heat until mixture forms a syrup, about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour over rice.

Saute almonds and currants in oil only until currants puff slightly and nuts turn lightly brown.

Gently fold into rice mixture, fluff with a fork, and serve.

Per serving: 300 cal, 4 g prot, 213 mg sod, 54 g carb, 9 g fat, 0 mg chol, 72 mg calcium

HINT: Substitute 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup or ½ cup jaggery and reduce water or broth by 2 tablespoons.

Source: Vegetarian Gourmet, Autumn 1993 Typed for you by Karen Mintzias

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