Persian Rice

Rice Side Dish - Side Dish

I believe I've posted a few fool-proof methods for cooking perfect rice, but this Persian version takes the grand prize, and it's not even close for second. The beauty of this method is that it doesn't rely on any specific measurements, or even exact times. This will make some of you very nervous, but just go with it.

Brief

Prep 15 mins

Cook: 55 mins

Total: 1hr10 mins

Servings: 8

Yield: 8 servings

Persian Rice

Ingredients

3 quarts water

3 tablespoons kosher salt

2 cups basmati rice

rinsed

1 pinch ground cumin

salt to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 russet potato

cut into 1/4-inch slices

3 tablespoons butter

cut into thin slices

or to taste

1 pinch saffron threads

1 ½ tablespoons hot water

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

or to taste

Maria's Mexican Rice

Side Dish

Directions

Step 1

Bring water and kosher salt to a boil in a pot; add rice and cook stirring for exactly 7 minutes. Drain.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Cover bottom of pot with 1 layer of potato slices. Sprinkle cumin and salt over potatoes. Cook until potatoes are sizzling 2 to 3 minutes; top potatoes with rice to form an even layer. Reduce heat to low and place butter slices over rice.

Step 3

Top pot with a layer of clean paper towels and place lid over towels. Steam until rice is fluffy about 45 minutes.

Step 4

Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle. Mix crushed saffron with 1 1/2 tablespoons hot water in a large bowl. Add a couple spoonfuls of rice to saffron mixture and stir until rice is yellow.

Step 5

Spoon remaining rice into a serving bowl top with saffron rice and line edges of bowl with potatoes. Garnish with parsley.

Nutritional Information

Persian Rice

Servings Per Recipe:8

Calories: 254.8

% Daily Value *

Protein: 4.2g 8%

Carbohydrates: 41.6g 13%

Dietary Fiber: 0.9g 4%

Sugars: 0.3g

Fat: 8.3g 13%

Saturated Fat: 3.4g 17%

Cholesterol: 11.4mg 4%

Vitamin A Iu: 175.3IU 4%

Niacin Equivalents: 0.4mg 4%

Vitamin B6: 0.1mg 5%

Vitamin C: 6.1mg 10%

Folate: 5.3mcg 1%

Calcium: 20.4mg 2%

Iron: 0.6mg 3%

Magnesium: 10.8mg 4%

Potassium: 124mg 4%

Sodium: 2223.1mg 89%

Calories From Fat: 74.9

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Nutrition information is provided for reference only. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.