Indian-inspired saffron rice gives an exotic atmosphere to any meal. Golden-hued fluffy rice pairs with a few simple ingredients to create a truly memorable blend of flavors. Rice is a staple in so many homes. It's affordable, accessible, and easy for even the most novice of cooks to work with. This particular recipe calls for basmati rice, so make sure to keep that in mind while shopping. This is one of those rice recipes that you'll find yourself returning to again and again!
Why Do I Need to Rinse Rice?
If the idea of rinsing rice is new to you, you may be wondering why you need to do it. Is it something that's exclusive to this recipe, or to saffron rice? Nope! Rinsing rice is actually something you should be doing regularly, unless specifically directed otherwise.
Rinsing rice does two things. One, it removes the excess starch on the grains, preventing them from sticking to each other and lowering the risk of them sticking to the pot. If you're making sticky rice, then you want to preserve this starch so the end product will have the desired consistency. Otherwise, you want your rice to be soft and fluffy.
The second thing that rinsing rice does is remove any dust or other debris that could be present. You likely won't be able to see this by examining the rice, but that doesn't mean it isn't there. By washing your rice, you'll remove any excess debris that may remain.
The only other instance where you shouldn't wash your rice is if the instructions on the package specifically tell you not to. This is generally when the rice has been enriched with extra vitamins and minerals. Washing the rice would remove these, so that's why the package directions will likely advise you to avoid doing so.
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Easy Saffron Rice Recipe
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Ingredients
1 cup basmati rice
2 cups chicken stock
1 Tablespoon butter (optional)
1 Tablespoon dried onion flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon saffron, crumbled
Instructions
1. Rinse the rice well, drain.
2. In a medium size saucepan, add the rinsed rice and remaining ingredients.
3. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat.
4. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until stock is absorbed and rice is tender.
5. Fluff with fork and serve. Serves 4.