Persian Rice
Saffron, rosewater, and tart dried fruit come together in this Persian rice recipe—a one-pot beauty that smells like a holiday and hits the table in under 45. It's fast enough for weeknights, fancy enough for guests, and doesn’t need a single ingredient you can’t pronounce.
Servings: 6 Cups
Calories: 223kcal
Cost: $3.50
Ingredients
- 1 cup aged basmati rice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tablespoons dried barberries or dried currants
- ¼ cup pistachios chopped
- 12 threads saffron
- 2 teaspoons rosewater
- 1 ½ cups water
- ⅔ teaspoon salt or to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Pomegranate seeds
- Parsley chopped
- Dried rose petals
Instructions
- Submerge the rice in a bowl of cool water and squeeze it in your hands to release starch.
- Drain and rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer under cool water until the water runs clear. Let it drain and dry for a few minutes.
- Set a wide pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. After 90 seconds, when the oil is hot, add the drained rice along with the cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Stir-fry for 2 minute to release the aroma of the spices and to thoroughly coat the rice in the oil.
- Stir in the barberries, pistachios and saffron. Add the rosewater, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 17 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Uncover and gently fluff the rice with a fork.
- If using garnishes, top with pomegranate seeds, chopped parsley, and dried rose petals before serving.
Notes
💃 Oops, I Rinsed It Again:
Rinse and swish the rice until the water runs clear. It’s the only way to avoid gummy grains and keep things fluffy.
🦭 SEAL-Kiss From A Rose:
Seal that pot with a good lid and don’t lift it. Every puff of steam counts toward perfect texture.
🧖 Steam For Your Whole Team:
Let the rice rest for 10 minutes after cooking. It finishes steaming and fluffs up like a dream.
Nutrition
Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 264mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg