Persian Rice Is The Most UNDERRATED Rice Ever

barberries

🥗Healthier: dried cranberries

💰Cheaper: raisins

Dried cranberries provide a similar tartness, while raisins are more economical.

saffron

💰Cheaper: turmeric

Turmeric offers a vibrant color at a fraction of the cost, though the flavor differs.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is a healthier fat option, while margarine can be more affordable.

almonds

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts provide healthy fats, while sunflower seeds can be a cost-effective substitute.

Add 2 cups (400 grams) of hashimi or basmati rice to a bowl and pour over room temperature water.

Wash the rice thoroughly to remove starch, changing the water each time until it stops going cloudy.

Soak the rice in clean water for 10 minutes.

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil on high heat.

Once boiling, add 2 teaspoons of salt and then add the soaked rice.

Cook the rice until about 70% cooked, which takes about 6 minutes, checking every minute.

Drain the rice and cool it off by running it through cold water.

Return the pot to the stove, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, and then add the drained rice back in.

Shape the rice into a conical shape and pour over a little more oil.

Poke steam vents into the rice with a spoon or spatula.

Turn the heat to medium, cover the pot, and leave it until steam develops.

After a few minutes, turn the heat to low, wrap the lid in a kitchen towel, and steam for 15-20 minutes.

Check the rice for doneness; it should be cooked through but not mushy.

To prepare saffron, place 20 threads (0.2 grams) in a mortar with a pinch of salt and grind it into a fine powder.

Add a few tablespoons of hot water to the saffron powder to create a liquid saffron extract.

Take 1 cup of the cooked rice and pour the saffron liquid over it, fluffing with a fork until evenly colored.

For the barberries, place 0.5 cup in a bowl, wash them, and soak in water for 10 minutes until plump.

Drain the barberries and remove any that look bad.

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan over medium heat, add the soaked barberries and 1 tablespoon of sugar, and a couple of tablespoons of liquid (saffron liquid or water).

Cook the barberries until the majority of the liquid evaporates, resulting in plump and jammy berries.

Mix some of the cooked barberries with the saffron rice to create barberry rice.

Break up the crispy fried rice from the bottom of the pot and serve it as a delicacy.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens