Timman Z'affaran (Iraqi Saffron Rice With Meat)

UmmBinat's Note:

There are similar recipes on Zaar but this is our absolute favorite version. It is a very delicious Iraqi rice dish that can be served as a bed of rice for other dishes such as Saudi Chicken Stuffed With Rice & Meat (Dajaj Mashwy) or roast lamb or as part of a buffet. DH asks for this at least once a week as a whole meal with yogurt and a fresh salad! You could add frozen peas near the end of the rice's cooking time if you like. I have also since added some tomato paste after cooking the spices into the meat mixture and cooking it a little longer then adding to the rice before cooking or separately after for another delicious variation on this dish that I tend to leave the rasins out of. Original recipe from, The Complete Middle East Cookbook by Tess Mallos.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 5-6

Yield: 3.0 cups

• 2 cups basmati rice
• ½ teaspoon saffron thread
• 2 tablespoons rose water
• 1⁄3; cup oil (or ghee or butter)
• ¼ cup blanched slivered almond (don't leave these out please)
• 1 medium onion , finely chopped
• 275 g ground lamb or 275 g beef
• 1 teaspoon baharat mixed spice (Baharat Aka Middle East Mixed Spices - the Real Mix)
• sea salt , to taste
• 2 ¼ tablespoons tomato paste (optional, see introduction)
• ¼ cup raisins
• 3 cups chicken stock (I use Emirati Style Yellow Chicken Stock)

Directions:

1. Wash rice until water runs clear.
2. Cover with cold water and leave to soak for 30 minutes.
3. Pound saffron threads, place in a small bowl (I use an Arabic coffee cup, which is perfect size for this) and add the rose water, leaving to steep until required.
4. Heat half the oil or ghee in a frying pan (this part tastes better with ghee or butter), add the almonds and fry until becoming golden making sure not to burn them by watching them until done.
5. Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon and reserve.
6. Add onion to pan and fry gently until transparent.
7. Increase heat, add meat and cook, stirring often to make meat crumbly. Fry until the juices evaporate, add baharat (Baharat Aka Middle East Mixed Spices - the Real Mix), 1/2 tsp salt and raisins and fry for 1 minute longer. Remove pan from heat, cover and leave aside.
8. Heat remaining oil or ghee in a deep large bottomed pot and add 2 tsp of the saffron-rosewater mixture and the chicken stock. Bring to a boil.
9. Drain the rice and add it to the boiling stock with salt to taste. Stir occasionally until rice returns to a boil.
10. Reduce heat to low and cover pan tightly. Simmer gently until rice is done.
11. Fold the meat mixture gently through the rice, cover rim of the pan with two paper towels and set lid on tightly. Leave on low heat for 5 minutes or longer if necessary. Rice should not spoil, though this depends on its quality.
12. Pile rice in serving dish or platter and sprinkle with browned almonds and the rest of the saffron-rosewater. This is excellent served with Saudi Chicken Stuffed With Rice & Meat (Dajaj Mashwy) or roast lamb or as part of a buffet.

Reviews

[FloridaNative]

This is DELICIOUS ~ DH and I loved it! Great flavor and the raisins add a bit of sweetness. I used FrenchTart's recipe for North African Ras El Hanout Spice Mix instead of the baharat spice blend, and it was wonderful. Thanks for posting Ummbinat ~ I'm so glad I tried this. Made for ZWT6 ~ NA*ME Region and the Queens of Quisine!

[Coasty]

The aroma through my home was wonderful while this was cooking. I served skewered lamb with ginger and mint (from "Made in Morocco") and a spinach salad with it for a wonderful meal. Made for ZWT 6

[Cookgirl]

This was perfection. It was the perfect combination of flavors. I was out of raisins and didn't know it but luckily currants were a good substitution. Local lamb meat and a homemade baharat spice blend: Baharat Spice Blend. Served with a simple baby spinach and arugula salad, fresh fruit for dessert and mint tea as a digestif. Thank you for posting a most exquisite recipe. Reviewed for NA*ME tag.