Persian Rice

I believe I've posted a few fool-proof methods for cooking perfect rice, but this Persian version takes the grand prize, and it's not even close for second. The beauty of this method is that it doesn't rely on any specific measurements, or even exact times. This will make some of you very nervous, but just go with it.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 55 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 255 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 ½ tablespoons hot water
• salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 quarts water
• 1 pinch ground cumin
• 1 pinch saffron threads
• 3 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed
• 1 russet potato, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 3 tablespoons butter, cut into thin slices, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring water and kosher salt to a boil in a pot; add rice and cook, stirring, for exactly 7 minutes. Drain.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Cover bottom of pot with 1 layer of potato slices. Sprinkle cumin and salt over potatoes. Cook until potatoes are sizzling, 2 to 3 minutes; top potatoes with rice to form an even layer. Reduce heat to low and place butter slices over rice.

Step 3

Top pot with a layer of clean paper towels and place lid over towels. Steam until rice is fluffy, about 45 minutes.

Step 4

Grind saffron threads with a mortar and pestle. Mix crushed saffron with 1 1/2 tablespoons hot water in a large bowl. Add a couple spoonfuls of rice to saffron mixture and stir until rice is yellow.

Step 5

Spoon remaining rice into a serving bowl, top with saffron rice, and line edges of bowl with potatoes. Garnish with parsley.