Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Middle Eastern cuisine with our delightful Saffron Rice and Red Pepper Pilaf recipes. These vibrant dishes, infused with the rich flavors of saffron and the vibrant hues of red peppers, offer a tantalizing treat for your taste buds. Discover the art of creating the perfect Saffron Rice, a classic Persian dish known for its golden hue and delicate aroma. Learn the secrets of selecting the finest saffron threads, the art of achieving perfectly cooked rice, and the techniques for infusing every grain with the essence of saffron. Delve into the vibrant world of Red Pepper Pilaf, a Turkish delight that captures the essence of Mediterranean flavors. Explore the vibrant combination of red peppers, aromatic herbs, and fluffy rice, creating a symphony of colors and tastes. Our comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions, detailed ingredient lists, and expert tips to ensure your culinary success. Prepare to captivate your senses and indulge in the exotic flavors of these Middle Eastern gems.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
SAFFRON RICE PILAF
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Melt the butter in a saucepot over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and toast until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock, rice, raisins, chile pepper, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, saffron and season with salt. Bring to boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 18 minutes.
SAFFRON ALMOND RICE PILAF
Categories Rice Side Quick & Easy Almond Saffron Fall Boil Gourmet Sugar Conscious Kidney Friendly Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat broth and water in a small saucepan over moderate heat until hot, then crumble saffron into liquid and stir. Remove from heat.
- Cook onion in butter in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes.
- Add rice and cook, stirring, until fragrant and pale golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in saffron broth, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes, then fluff rice with a fork and fold in almonds.
SAFFRON RICE PILAF WITH RED PEPPERS & TOASTED ALMONDS
I think I got this recipe from Fine Cooking Magazine--great read! This simple, tasty side dish reminds me a little of paella, and is so delish--it goes great with just about everything, but I particularly like it with salmon or my Recipe #241378.
Provided by Battle in Seattle
Categories Long Grain Rice
Time 40m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- On the stove top or in the microwave, heat the broth until hot. Add the saffron, cover, and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a heavy-based 3-quart saucepan with a tight lid, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add the rice, salt and cayenne, and stir well to coat each grain with oil. Toast for a full five minutes, stirring regularly to keep the grains separated and to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan (the rice may turn opaque before 5 minutes is up, but keep going). Reduce the heat to low if there are any signs of scorching. Stir in 2 tablespoons of parsley and the garlic.
- Add the saffron broth, stir once, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 18 minutes. Remove from the heat, and let the pilaf sit, still covered, for five minutes.
- Once the pilaf has rested, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Using the fork, gently fold in the almonds, the remaining parsley, and the oregano. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
- P.S. You might be tempted to leave out the saffron because it's expensive, but DON'T DO IT! It's worth every penny, and one jar goes a long way. If you have a Trader Joe's in your area, you can pick up a jar for about three to four bucks. If you don't have a TJ's, I'm sorry for you.
SAFFRON RICE PILAF (RIZ AU SAFRAN)
Provided by Joan Nathan
Categories Side Vegetarian Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur Dinner Pine Nut Saffron Healthy Sugar Conscious Vegan Pescatarian Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Stir the saffron into 2 tablespoons hot water in a bowl, and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed ovenproof pan. Add the onion and pine nuts, and cook over medium heat, stirring, for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent and the nuts are fragrant and beginning to change color. Lower the heat, and stir in the rice. Add the saffron and its water, the nutmeg, the bay leaf, the salt, freshly ground pepper to taste, and 2 cups water.
- Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a slow simmer, cover, and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Fluff the rice with a fork, removing the bay leaf. Taste, and adjust the seasoning. Serve warm.
SAFFRON RICE PILAF
The color yellow symbolized joy for medieval Arabs, who were cultivating saffron in Spain by 960 c.e. Sephardic Jews were equally inspired by the coveted spice, and golden rice became a holiday and Sabbath tradition. This version, made with basmati rice, is punctuated by caramelized onion, currants, and fried almonds.
Provided by Melissa Roberts
Categories Onion Side Fry Vegetarian Dried Fruit Almond Saffron Kosher Vegan Potluck Gourmet Pescatarian Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added
Yield Makes 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Soften saffron in hot water (2 tablespoons) in a small bowl.
- Heat oil in a 5-quart heavy pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Fry almonds, stirring frequently, until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
- Fry onion in oil remaining in pot, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer half of onion to a bowl.
- Add rice to onion in pot and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add water (4 1/2 cups), saffron mixture, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until water is absorbed and rice is tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Let rice stand, covered, off heat 5 minutes.
- While rice stands, stir almonds and currants into bowl with onion.
- Fluff rice with a fork and serve with almond mixture spooned on top.
Tips:
- Use high-quality saffron. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, so it's important to use a good quality product. Look for saffron that is a deep red color and has a strong aroma.
- Toast the rice before cooking. Toasting the rice will help to bring out its flavor and give it a slightly nutty taste. To toast the rice, heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 5-7 minutes, or until the rice is golden brown.
- Use a good quality broth. The broth that you use will make a big difference in the flavor of the rice. Use a broth that is flavorful and has a rich taste. You can use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or beef broth.
- Add vegetables and spices to your pilaf. Vegetables and spices can add a lot of flavor and color to your pilaf. Some common vegetables that are used in pilaf include carrots, celery, onions, and peas. Common spices that are used in pilaf include cumin, coriander, and cinnamon.
- Let the pilaf rest before serving. After the pilaf is cooked, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will allow the rice to absorb the flavors of the other ingredients.
Conclusion:
Saffron rice and red pepper pilaf is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for a special occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. By following the tips above, you can make a perfect pilaf that will impress your friends and family.
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