Saffron Basmati Rice

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5 green cardamom pods
• 5 whole cloves
• 1 cup white basmati rice
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 5 -7 tablespoons sugar (i only ever use 5)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch saffron (1/8 tsp)
• 1/4 cup shelled pistachio nut, toasted

Recipe

• 1 heat the oil in a medium saucepan, over medium high heat.
• 2 add the cinnamon stick, cardamom and cloves.
• 3 saute until the spices are aromatic, about 1 minute, then scoop out with a slotted spoon and discard.
• 4 add the rice to the pan and cook, stirring until the rice is evenly coated in oil, and beginning to toast, 1 to 2 minutes.
• 5 add the water, sugar, salt and saffron to the pan and bring to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce heat to medium low, partially cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes.
• 6 fully cover the pan and simmer for about 10 minutes longer, until water is completely absorbed.
• 7 take pan off heat and let stand 5 minutes without removing lid.
• 8 fluff with a fork and stir in the pistachios just before serving.