Saffron Rice

Submitted by Sweetiebarbara

"Everyone loves this, even my mother, who claimed to not like rice. I grow Saffron, so I garnish the rice with a Saffron Crocus flower when I serve it. I use this as a side dish with Shrimp Creole (I recommend Recipe #182045, along with a Spinach salad, and Recipe #182002). I adapted this from a 1973 Southern Living, Our Best Recipes, cookbook."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 15mins
• Ingredients: 7
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1⁄2 teaspoon saffron (include threads, if you have them)
• 1⁄2 cup hot water (for dissolving saffron)
• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 1 1⁄2 cups uncooked rice
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1⁄2 cups hot water

directions

1. Put 1/2 cup water in a 1 cup glass measuring cup and heat.
2. Remove and add saffron, set aside.
3. Put rice, onion and salt into a glass 1 1/2 quart casserole.
4. Put 1 cup water and the 1/2 stick of butter into a 2 cup glass measuring cup, and heat in microwave. (do not boil).
5. Add dissolved saffron and water with melted butter to casserole. Stir.
6. Place (uncovered) in a preheated 450°F oven.
7. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring at the end of 10 minutes. Rice should be very dry.
8. When rice is very dry, stir in remaining 1 1/2 cups of hot water.
9. Cover, and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes.
10. Uncover and bake another 5 minutes.
11. Fluff with fork, garnish, and serve.

Reviews

[Baby Kato]

I loved this quick and easy to make recipe. I used some extra special Spanish saffron that my brother gave me. The rice turned out perfect. Light, fluffy, beautifully colored with a delicious flavor. It was the perfect accompaniment for our comfort meal of bbq chicken and corn niblets in butter sauce. Thank you so much for sharing a recipe that has gone into my Best of 2014 Cookbook. Kudos to you. Made for What's on the Menu Tag Game 2015.

 

[RogerOH]

Great rice dished and wonderful color. We served it with Swiss Steak and Glaze Carrots. I to added a little more salt to the finished rice. Thanks

 

[Zuleika L.]

Wow! This was very nice. I've never made saffron rice before and really enjoyed the flavor. I added a bit more salt, but that was it. It's plain, but for some reason my family was fighting over the leftovers. So, this gets a 5 for being simple, yet delicious!! Thanks for this recipe!! This goes into my favorites folder! :-)