You will love this Saffron Fruited Rice with everything! It has a unique flavor that can stand alone or pair nicely with other dishes.
This rice dish, made with aromatic brown Basmati rice, fresh apple, dried fruits, and sweet seasonings, is a perfect companion to curried vegetable dishes. This rice is also delicious alongside stir-fries and even salads! It gets its bright yellow color from saffron, but you can substitute turmeric for a similar effect.
How to Make Saffron Fruited Rice
- Combine rice and water in a saucepan.
- Cook rice.
- Heat oil in a large skillet.
- Add onion and sauté.
- Add apple and sauté.
- Add rice and remaining ingredients, and cook.
- Serve at once.
Full directions for how to make Saffron Fruited Rice are in the printable recipe card below.
Saffron Fruited Rice FAQs
What is saffron?
Saffron is a spice that is found in crocus flowers and is very expensive! It has a sweet, floral flavor and strong coloring. This spice is often used in Indian dishes.
How long does this rice last?
You can store this rice in the fridge up to 1 week. Make sure to store it in an airtight container. When you're ready to eat it again, you may want to add a bit of water to your rice to keep it from drying out when you reheat it.
For more ways to use brown rice, explore Classic Rice Dishes.
Recipe
Saffron Fruited Rice
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups raw brown rice preferably Basmati
- 2 tbsp fragrant nut oil or olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 large sweet apple peeled, cored, and diced
- ⅓ cup nuts of your choice chopped
- ⅓ cup raisins or currants
- ⅓ cup dried fruit of your choice apricots, dates, black figs, or a combination; chopped
- 2 tbsp agave nectar
- ½ tsp saffron threads dissolved in 2 tbsp warm water; or substitute ½ to 1 tsp ground tumeric, to taste
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- several fresh cilantro leaves
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the rice with 3 ½ cups water in a saucepan.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer gently until the water is absorbed—about 30 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet.
- Add the onion and sauté over medium heat until translucent.
- Add the apple and sauté until it softens, about 3 or 4 minutes.
- Add the cooked rice and remaining ingredients, and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for 8–10 minutes.
- Serve at once.
emma says
Thanks for sharing!