Saffron Rice is a flavoursome rice cooked with saffron in milk. This mild rice makes an excellent choice to serve with rich gravies and is so quick to cook.
While I already have another version of Saffron Rice already on the blog, I wanted to make some rice that would do justice to the sides dishes I was making for my North Indian Thali. North Indian Lunch Menu has both Rice and assorts Rotis/Indian Breads, so I had to make some rice that's easy for me to assemble and one that is not overpowering.
This Saffron Rice hardly takes time and gets cooked in under 10 to 15 mins. So the entire rice is done on its own in under 30 mins.
Always with planning any Indian Thali, you got to make sure you have at least one dish under all categories, like the drinks, starters, and desserts. I had a bigger list which I arrived at after discussing with Vaishali. On the day of cooking, I had to skip a few dishes for lack of time.
We enjoyed this Zafrani Rice with the rich gravy I served it with. This was part of the North Indian Thali I made.
Step By Step Pictures for making Saffron Rice
Saffron Rice | How to make Saffron Rice
How to cook this rice
Wash and soak the rice for 15 to 20 mins.
Soak the saffron in warm milk.
Heat a nonstick pan with ghee and add rice.
Roast the rice till dry.
Add milk, water and salt, and saffron.
When the water comes to a boil, simmer and cover with a lid.
Cook till done.
Garnish with shah jeera.
Notes
Cooking in a nonstick pan still leaves the bottom wet, so you could place a tawa and cook this rice over it for 5 to 7 mins in the end.
Else making this Saffron Rice in Rice cooker, Pressure Cooker is equally easy.
Depending on the Basmati Variety, you need to adjust the water. This brand required 1:2 ratio of water. Else it is normally 1&1/2 cup of water or even less.
Saffron Rice served with other dishes in this Thali.
Recipe
Saffron Rice | How to make Saffron Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati Rice
- 2 tsp Ghee
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 cup Water
- A Pinch Saffron
- Salt to taste
- 1/4 tsp Shah Jeera
Instructions
- Wash and soak the rice for 15 to 20 mins.
- Soak the saffron in warm milk.
- Heat a nonstick pan with ghee and add rice.
- Roast the rice till dry.
- Add milk, water and salt and saffron.
- When the water comes to a boil, simmer and cover with a lid.
- Cook till done.
- Garnish with shah jeera.
usha says
Flavorsome yet not overpowered with spices. Nice pick to pair with the rich gravy.
vaishalisabnani says
Excellent rice ! It’s simple but royal and I would love to make these in my next North Indian menu .
Rujuta says
Hi Srivalli,
Saffron rice looks lovely and simple to cook. Looking forward to seeing the North Indian thali
Best Wishes
Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth says
Very flavorful yet simple rice dish... pretty color too...
Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says
Easy and flavorful..Should try this some time ..
Pavani says
That saffron rice looks just like the one served at restaurants. Looks very inviting.
Renu Agrawal Dongre says
Saffron rice looks so yum and easy to make. Love your thali plating and pictures.
Harini says
Good one. I love saffron in rice and it makes a great party rice dish as well.
Gayathri Kumar says
I love the flavour of saffron ever since I started using it in desserts. Combining with rice, this must be such a flavourful mains..
cookingwithsapana says
I love saffron flavor in rice and love how each grain is separated.
Priya Suresh says
Love this simple, delicious and flavourful rice, and how prefect those rice grains looks.
sushma says
I just love the flavor of saffron, rice looks yummy
Suma Gandlur says
Milk and saffron must add a great flavor to rice. This one is apt for party menus.
Jyoti Babel says
love the colour saffron has imparted to the rice. We make a variety of sweet saffron rice for festive days