Saffron Rice cooked in the Microwave

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008

After almost two weeks of eating out, the cravings for homemade food got unbelievably strong today. I had some frozen spareribs in the freezer, which I cooked with Indian spices to make a spicy pork fry. I don’t mind eating dry dishes with plain rice, as long as it is spicy, but Siv usually prefers a gravy with white rice.

First inkling was to make a fried rice, but the fridge was completely empty, even the eggs had expired almost a week ago. Then I suddenly thought of saffron rice, we had recently got some take out from a Caribbean restaurant near by, and their Saffron rice was awful! Ever since then I have been meaning to try my own version of it. Along with that, the prospect of an event participation prompted me to make this Saffron rice completely in the microwave. The basic technique for cooking rice in the microwave is from here.

Saffron Rice 008

Ingredients

1.5 cups jasmine rice washed and soaked in water for 30 minutes
3 cups water
1/4 tsp saffron threads soaked in warm milk
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp paprika powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp cumin powder
2-3 bay leaves
1/2 tbsp vinegar
Salt to taste

Method

Place the butter in a large microwave safe bowl with a tight lid and heat on high uncovered for 1 minute.

Remove from the microwave immediately and add the paprika, turmeric and cumin powders and bay leaves to the melted butter and mix well. Heat for another 30 seconds.

Add the rice , soaked saffron threads, salt, vinegar and water to the bowl and mix well to combine.

Microwave uncovered for 10 minutes on high power.

Remove from the microwave, mix well and cover with a tight fitting lid. Return to the microwave, and heat for another 3 minutes on high heat.

Remove from the microwave and let it stand for about five minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork.

Serve warm with any spicy side dish.

This goes to dear Srivalli who hosts a monthly event called Microwave easy cooking. I only use the microwave for reheating and for cooking rice occasionally. So this is the only month I can actually participate in this event, since her chosen theme is Rice.

Don’t forget Monthly Blog Patrol!I am guest hosting MBP this month. The theme for March is Mixed Drinks and the deadline is March 24th.

Check out the details here.

Comments

21 Responses to “Saffron Rice cooked in the Microwave”

Kaykat on March 22nd, 2008 10:42 pm

I’m totally digging that pic!

Was it at Casuelita’s that you had the bad saffron rice - I remember our last visit there being not-so-impressive.

Hey, it was casuelita’s!! And yeah we were not impressed with any of the dishes either
Raaga on March 22nd, 2008 11:31 pm

It looks so nice… and is so simple to make
arundati on March 23rd, 2008 3:00 am

this one looks so good….i’ve been told saffron with coconut milk in rice too tastes good….i had a taste of some truly horrid rice dish that was called “saffron rice” at a Lebanese cooking class…..
Padmaja on March 23rd, 2008 4:13 am

Sig!!
that lovely saffron rice is amazing!!I would love to have that for my lunch right now… I have been away from my kitchen as well, Rocky’s in India, 2 week visit. I have become too lazy to even make anything Sig. Myself and Noel have been enjoying our takeouts, dinners at friends.
Hope u are having a nice weekend
indosungod on March 23rd, 2008 4:30 am

Saffron Rice looks wonderful, if looks can tell
how aromatic a dish is, this one sure does.
TBC on March 23rd, 2008 6:00 am

That is a lovely pic! The rice looks fabulous.
Purnima on March 23rd, 2008 6:18 am

Sig, the saffron rice looks perfect! I shall attempt this for sure..tks for the link (its got scrambled eggs!wowie another time saver..Hey I hv of lately discovered that hardboiled egg in mw is faster n tastier! shall blog abt it soon) Tku so much for sharing!!
Srivalli on March 23rd, 2008 7:39 am

Ahhh…finally here comes my rice… ..looks great Sig… ..actually I too planned on the same…
Anuzi on March 23rd, 2008 8:55 am

Sig, The rice looks soooo good. My mouth is still watering with thoughts of the spice infused rice. Yummm!
sra on March 23rd, 2008 9:17 am
musical on March 23rd, 2008 11:06 am

Totally droolworthy, Sig! Love how you garnished with grilled onions. Which spicy side-dish did you have with this rice :).

We had some spicy spareribs on the side…
Uma on March 23rd, 2008 12:20 pm

Awesome picture, Sig! Wonderful entry.
saswati on March 23rd, 2008 12:30 pm

hey Sig the snap is wonderful….i am drooling
Ramya's Mane Adige on March 23rd, 2008 2:24 pm

the rice looks delicious!!! Love the color
Kalai on March 23rd, 2008 5:40 pm

Sig, this looks mouth wateringly good!! Awesome pic!
sushma on March 24th, 2008 1:43 am

im drooling over the pic.. lovely entry..
Suganya on March 24th, 2008 10:16 am

I have never cooked rice in mw. Sounds easy-peasy, Sig.
reshma on March 25th, 2008 9:11 am

reminds me that a microwave can do more than just heating up left overs:) stunning photo!
Rina on March 26th, 2008 7:43 am

Easy recipe and lovely picture…Sig . Gr8 entry too.. Picture looks real yummy with the Pork fry on the side…
Amy on March 31st, 2008 12:55 am

Mm that looks like a delicious meal! I’ve never cooked rice in the microwave before, I’ll have to try it.
Shubha on April 7th, 2008 4:07 pm

WOW! Amazing photography and an equally amazing blog…. u have some great recipes… would love to try them… how do u take such nice snaps??… loved ur blog adding u in my blog roll…. keep posting more… girl u rock..