Baked Saffron Rice

Elevate your side dish game with this fragrant and visually stunning Baked Saffron Rice, a delicious blend of aromatic spices, buttery basmati rice, and golden saffron threads steeped for maximum color and depth. Infused with cardamom, cinnamon, and bay leaf, this oven-baked masterpiece is lightly toasted before being cooked to fluffy perfection in vegetable broth, creating a subtly spiced, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Sweet golden raisins add a pop of sweetness, while toasted slivered almonds deliver a satisfying crunch. This dish is finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a vibrant and elegant garnish. Perfect as a centerpiece for special occasions or as a flavorful side to your favorite mains, this recipe is easy to prepare yet impressive enough to wow your guests.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups Basmati rice
• 1 pinch Saffron threads
• 3 tablespoons Warm water
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 medium (finely chopped) Onion
• 2 cloves (minced) Garlic
• 1 whole Cinnamon stick
• 4 whole Cardamom pods
• 3.5 cups Vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 whole Bay leaf
• 0.25 cup Golden raisins
• 0.25 cup (toasted) Slivered almonds
• 2 tablespoons (chopped, for garnish) Fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Set aside to drain.

Step 3

In a small bowl, combine the saffron threads with 3 tablespoons of warm water. Let the saffron steep for at least 10 minutes to release its color and flavor.

Step 4

Heat a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter and olive oil, allowing them to melt and combine.

Step 5

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Then add the minced garlic, and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Stir in the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and bay leaf, cooking for an additional 1 minute to toast the spices.

Step 7

Add the drained basmati rice to the pot and stir to coat the grains in the butter and spices. Cook for 2 minutes to lightly toast the rice.

Step 8

Pour in the vegetable broth, the saffron water (including the threads), and salt. Stir gently to combine.

Step 9

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then cover the pot tightly with a lid or foil.

Step 10

Transfer the covered pot to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is tender.

Step 11

Once done, remove the pot from the oven and let it sit, covered, for 5-10 minutes to allow the rice to steam.

Step 12

Fluff the rice gently with a fork and stir in the golden raisins and toasted slivered almonds.

Step 13

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	568.7 grams (568.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1019

Total Fat 42.60g	55%
Saturated Fat 15.70g	78%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 62mg	21%
Sodium 2385mg	104%
Total Carbohydrate 144.30g	52%
Dietary Fiber 8.90g	32%
Total Sugars 27.90g
Protein 23.60g	47%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 196mg	15%
Iron 9mg	51%
Potassium 802mg	17%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.3%

Protein: 8.9%

Carbs: 54.7%