A traditional Persian rice dish known for its crispy golden crust and fluffy texture. This recipe will guide you through the steps to create a perfect, aromatic Persian rice that pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes.
Preparation time
20min
Cooking time
45min
Ingredients
6 Servings
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 pinch saffron
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cups water
- 2 tbsp yogurt
Directions
Step 1
Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
Step 2
In a large pot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice and salt. Cook for about 5-7 minutes or until the rice is slightly tender. Drain the rice and set aside.
Step 3
Dissolve the saffron in 2 tbsp of hot water and set aside.
Step 4
In a large non-stick pot, melt 2 tbsp of butter with the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Step 5
In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of the partially cooked rice with yogurt and the saffron water.
Step 6
Spread this mixture evenly at the bottom of the pot to form a crust.
Step 7
Gently add the remaining rice on top of the crust mixture, shaping it into a pyramid.
Step 8
Dot the remaining butter over the rice.
Step 9
Cover the pot with a lid wrapped in a clean kitchen towel to absorb excess moisture. Cook on medium-high heat for 10 minutes.
Step 10
Reduce the heat to low and cook for another 30-35 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and the crust is golden and crispy.
Step 11
Turn off the heat and let the rice rest for 5 minutes before serving. Carefully invert the pot onto a larger serving plate to reveal the golden crust on top.