Saffron Rice Salad Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon saffron threads
• 6 green cardamom pods
• 6 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 450 g/1 lb basmati rice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• squeeze of lemon juice
• 50 g/2 oz flaked almonds, toasted
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Saffron Rice Salad Recipe

8 Servings

Put the saffron in a small bowl with 3 tablespoons boiling water, and leave to infuse while the rice is cooking.

Pour 1 liter/1 3⁄4 pt cold water into a pan, season with salt and bring to the boil. Add the spices and rice. Return to the boil, stir with a fork, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir the rice again, then pour in the saffron liquid without stirring. Cook for a further 5–10 minutes until all of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.

Put the rice in a bowl and fluff up the grains with a fork. Stir in the oil and lemon juice, and leave to cool. Transfer to a large serving plate, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with the almonds.