Live To Eat » Saffron Rice cooked in the Microwave

Saffron Rice cooked in the Microwave

22 March 2008 23 Comments

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.

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23 Comments »

Kaykat said:

I’m totally digging that pic! :party:

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

# 22 March 2008 at 10:42 pm

Raaga said:

It looks so nice… and is so simple to make

# 22 March 2008 at 11:31 pm

arundati said:

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…..

# 23 March 2008 at 3:00 am

Padmaja said:

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

# 23 March 2008 at 4:13 am

indosungod said:

Saffron Rice looks wonderful, if looks can tell
how aromatic a dish is, this one sure does.

# 23 March 2008 at 4:30 am

TBC said:

That is a lovely pic! The rice looks fabulous. :drool:

# 23 March 2008 at 6:00 am

Purnima said:

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!! Yes):

# 23 March 2008 at 6:18 am

Srivalli said:

Ahhh…finally here comes my rice… ..looks great Sig… ..actually I too planned on the same…

# 23 March 2008 at 7:39 am

Anuzi said:

Sig, The rice looks soooo good. My mouth is still watering with thoughts of the spice infused rice. Yummm! :drool:

# 23 March 2008 at 8:55 am

sra said:

:drool:

# 23 March 2008 at 9:17 am

musical said:

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…

# 23 March 2008 at 11:06 am

Uma said:

Awesome picture, Sig! Wonderful entry.

# 23 March 2008 at 12:20 pm

saswati said:

hey Sig the snap is wonderful….i am drooling :drool:

# 23 March 2008 at 12:30 pm

Ramya's Mane Adige said:

the rice looks delicious!!! Love the color

# 23 March 2008 at 2:24 pm

Kalai said:

Sig, this looks mouth wateringly good!! Awesome pic!

# 23 March 2008 at 5:40 pm

sushma said:

im drooling over the pic.. lovely entry..

# 24 March 2008 at 1:43 am

Suganya said:

I have never cooked rice in mw. Sounds easy-peasy, Sig.

# 24 March 2008 at 10:16 am

reshma said:

reminds me that a microwave can do more than just heating up left overs:) stunning photo!

# 25 March 2008 at 9:11 am

Rina said:

Easy recipe and lovely picture…Sig Flower): . Gr8 entry too.. Picture looks real yummy with the Pork fry on the side… :drool:

# 26 March 2008 at 7:43 am

Amy said:

Mm that looks like a delicious meal! I’ve never cooked rice in the microwave before, I’ll have to try it.

# 31 March 2008 at 12:55 am

Shubha said:

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..

# 7 April 2008 at 4:07 pm