Whether it is a festive get together or a cosy family event, every party needs a rice dish. This Persian jeweled rice is the ultimate eye catcher. It steals hearts with not only its aesthetics but it’s flavours as well.

The aroma of orange and saffron, give this rice a distinct flavor. The addition of dried fruits and nuts, add a festive touch to it. Persian jeweled rice is a celebration of flavours, textures and colors.

For the ultimate experience, serve it with the orange saffron baked chicken. The bonus is that the marinade from the chicken can be used to make the rice. Serve it along a spicy green chutney and a salad, and your festive meal is sorted.

Persian Jeweled Rice

When flavors, aromas and aesthetics come together, Persian Jeweled Rice is created. A pefect addition to your festive tables.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Persian

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 400g (2 cups) long grain basmati rice (soaked for 30 minutes)
• 1½ Tbsp butter
• 25g almong wedges
• 15g barberries (dried)
• 20g cranberries (dried)
• juice of 1 orange
• a pinch of saffron (soaked into a tablespoon of water for 10 minutes)
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 2 cloves garlic (mashed)
• 1½ tsp salt

For garnish

• 2 Tbsp pomegranate arils
• 1 Tbsp pistachio (chopped or cut into wedges)
• 2-3 mint leaves (finely chopped)

Method

 

1. Melt the butter into a pot then saute the almonds, barberries and cranberries for about 2 minutes.
2. Add the basmati rice (drained) along with all the other ingredients (if you’re making it along with the orange-saffron baked chicken, you can add the leftover marinade from the chicken instead of the ingredients in this step. Add ½ tsp of salt instead of 1½ tsp in this case)
3. Add 600ml of water and bring it to a boil. Cover with a lid and turn the heat to low. Cook for about 20 minutes until the rice is done.
4. Leave to rest for 10 minutes, then transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with pomegrante arils, pistachio and mint leaves and serve. This Orange-Saffron Chicken is a perfect compliment to this rice.

Notes

If you’re making it along with the orange-saffron baked chicken, you can add the leftover marinade from the chicken instead of the ingredients in step 2. Add ½ tsp of salt instead of 1½ tsp in this case.