Persian Jeweled Rice with Tadig
By Leslie Blythe Rice, Side dish, Vegetarian Boiling, Sautéing, Simmering
May 4, 2015
This Persian Jeweled Rice with Tadig is beautiful & delicious. Tahdig is a speciality of Persian cuisine consisting of crisp rice taken from the bottom of the pot in which the rice is cooked. It's the best part!
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
Ingredients
2 cups extra long Basmati rice
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
¼ teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled and soaked in 1/4 cup hot water
⅓ cup golden raisins or currants
⅓ cup dried barberries or goji berries, soaked in warm water for 5 minutes and drained (or use ⅓ cup dried cranberries)
Directions
1Rinse the rice several times in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain. Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a large pot with 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Add the rinsed rice and boil, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, then drain well in a colander.
2Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, season lightly with salt and cook until softened and lightly colored, 4 to 5 minutes. Moisten with 1 tablespoon saffron water and stir in the cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, black pepper and cumin. Cook for 1 minute more. Stir in the all the dried fruit.
3Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a heavy-bottomed enamel or nonstick Dutch oven over medium heat. Spread half the par-cooked rice over the bottom of the pot. Spoon over the onion-fruit mixture, then the remaining rice. Leave the pot on the flame, uncovered, for 5 to 8 minutes to gently brown the rice. (Do not stir or move the rice — you will need to rely on your nose to tell if the rice has browned.)
4Drizzle the remaining saffron water over the rice and put on the lid. Adjust the heat to very low and leave undisturbed for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let rest at least 10 minutes.
5Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat and gently toast the almonds and pistachios for a minute or so, taking care not to get them too brown. Set aside for garnish.
6To serve, spoon the rice into a wide bowl or platter. With a spatula, carefully lift the bottom crust, placing the crisp side up. Sprinkle with the toasted nuts.
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