French🍚 Starches

Saffron Rice

Name: Saffron Rice
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 200 g Rice (jasmine or basmati); 300 g Water (or stock); 80 g Onion; 40 g Butter; ½ tsp Saffron threads; 1 Bay leaf; ~1 sprig Thyme; 1 tsp Salt; ~½ tsp Black or white pepper

⏱ 25 min

An elegant and simple French-style saffron rice prepared using the classic pilaf technique. Golden and aromatic, flavored with saffron, butter, and herbs, this foolproof method ensures perfectly cooked grains that are infused with flavor from both the cooking liquid and gentle steaming in the oven.

Adapted from a video by French Cooking Academy

Turn Plain Rice into Something Special with This Simple Technique

Watch on YouTube

Ingredients

Rice (jasmine or basmati)200 g
Water (or stock)300 g
Onion80 g
Butter40 g
Saffron threads½ tsp
Bay leaf1
ThymeFresh or dried, to taste~1 sprigest.
Salt1 tsp
Black or white pepperTo taste~½ tspest.

Steps

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1
Preheat the oven to 190°C (fan-forced). Steep the saffron threads in hot water to allow the color and flavor to fully diffuse—approximately half a teaspoon of saffron. Use a metal spoon to avoid staining.
2
Melt the butter in a sauté pan over medium to medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and gently cook over medium heat until softened and fragrant, with no browning.
3
Add the unrinsed rice directly to the pan and stir over medium to medium-low heat for 1–2 minutes until the grains become nearly translucent.
4
Pour the steeped saffron water into the rice and add the bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Increase heat to medium and bring to a simmer.
5
Once simmering, turn off the heat. Place a piece of parchment paper over the rice (you can leave it as a full sheet; make a small hole in the center). Cover with the parchment paper first, then place the lid on top to ensure even steaming.
6
Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and cook for 17 minutes.
7
Remove from the oven using oven mitts or a kitchen towel. Take off the parchment paper. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, removing any thyme sprigs or bay leaf. Dot the top with small pieces of butter and gently mix through to coat the grains evenly.
8
Cover with the lid and let rest for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately in a dish or bowl.

Saffron Rice

Ingredients

Steps

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