Moroccan Saffron Rice Pilaf Recipe With Vegetables

NOURISHING ONE POT SIMPLE MOROCCAN SAFFRON RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Bloom the saffron strands in 1/4 cup of boiling water. Set aside for about 10 minutes.
• Heat the Tablespoon of oil in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and sweat until they're soft and translucent.
• Add the brown rice, the saffron water and the remaining 1 1/4 cup water. Bring to the boil and cover with a lid. Turn the heat down to simmer and leave covered and simmering for 20 minutes.
• While the rice is cooking, use a dry non stick frying pan to toast the spice mix. Heat the pan over a medium heat and add the spices. Toast for about 4 minutes, until all the spices are starting to colour and are very fragrant. Blend the spices to a powder either in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle.
• Once the rice is cooked, mix through the spices and the dried fruit.
• Serve with pomegranate arils and micro greens.

MOROCCAN RICE (PILAF)

Steps:

• Saute: Place the onion and the olive oil in a large pot and sauté under medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Add cumin, allspice, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, pepper and rice and stir until rice gets a white color, about 2-3 minutes.
• Simmer: Add the stock (or water), salt and saffron, cover the pot and wait until it starts to boil. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook covered until almost all of the water is absorbed, about 5 - 10 minutes.
• Rest: Turn off the heat, add the dried fruits and almonds and stir/fluff up gently with a fork. Cover the pot and let the pilaf rest for 15-20 minutes.

MOROCCAN RICE PILAF WITH SAFFRON

Steps:

• In a sauce pan, heat the stock almost to boiling.
• Meanwhile, mix the remaining ingredients (except the saffron) in a very large skillet or shallow stock pot.
• Cook the rice and vegetables over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes, or until the onions are translucent and the rice begins to color.
• Add the stock and saffron to the rice, stirring only once. Bring the stock to a simmer, and taste for salt.
• Adjust the seasoning if desired.
• Cover the rice, reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently and undisturbed, for about 25 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
• Fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.

MOROCCAN SAFFRON RICE

Steps:

• Wash the rice in a sieve until the water runs clear, then drain well and set aside.
• Bring the water to a boil, remove from heat and add the saffron. Allow to infuse for 20 minutes.
• Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan and add the rice, stirring well so that all the rice is coated evenly in the oil. Add the saffron water and salt and stir well.
• Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Cover with a tight fitting lid, then simmer for 10-12 minutes until the water is absorbed. Turn off the heat and let stand, covered, for at least 10 minutes.
• Add the butter and fluff lightly with a fork. Serve and garnish with pistachios.

MOROCCAN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons with olive oil in a medium saucepan.
• Saute onion until soft.
• Add garlic and chili and saute.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Add rice and saute until slightly toasted.
• Meanwhile heat chicken broth in microwave or other pot on stove.
• Add saffron crushing slightly to broth and let steep.
• When rice is slightly toasted add wine and stir to combine stirring as it boils off and most of the liquid cooks off.
• Add broth and stir to combine.
• Bring to boil, cover and reduce to simmer.
• After 10 minutes add the almonds, chopped dried fruits and ginger.
• Allow to cook another 10 minutes.
• Add remaining butter and chopped herbs.
• Cover pot, remove from heat, and leave covered for 10 minutes.
• Uncover and fluff with a fork, taste for seasoning and serve in a large bowl garnishing with extra chopped herbs and extra toasted almonds.