Saffron Rice, Golden Raisins and Pinenuts is a very easy recipe from An Edible Mosaic Cookbook
This is another easy One Pot recipe. I love a rice Pilaff as they are sometimes called. What’s not to love about a rice full of flavour and crunchy nuts all made in one pot.
This is a recipe from a book called An Edible Mosaic, the same name as the blog that inspired it by Faith Gorsky.
I decided to give one of her recipes a test, a nice looking Saffron Rice with Raisins and Pine Nuts, it looked delicious and easy to follow. I mixed it with lots of herbs mint and coriander and parsley and it was gobbled up with a side of chicken. I didn’t have any raisins so I used Sour Cherries. Since then, I have also made it with cumin and smoked paprika and please, look away Faith but, I have even made it with peas and a squirt of tomato sauce… In the Edible Mosaic book , Faith serves it with Shrimp in Aromatic Tomato Sauce a classic Middle Eastern flavour combo, but it would be perfect with any curry. It’s vegetarian in fact, vegan but if you prefer, make it with boiling stock instead of water.
The book this recipe came from has over 100 Middle Eastern recipes, with a focus on dishes from the Levant, and a smattering of recipes from other areas in the Middle East. It’s a sweet story for Faith who after marrying, was lucky enough to spend six months living in the Middle East, falling in love with the culture and cuisine. Four visits later, she had a real passion and appreciation for the traditions and food. Her mother in law, Sahar has been a real inspiration teaching Faith authentic recipes that she has now streamlined to suit our busy lifestyle and availability of ingredients, with cooking techniques anyone can follow. The book is available to order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Recently she had a virtual book launch party
Ingredients | Unit: |
- 325 gm basmati rice rinsed,
- 40 ml olive oil 2 tablespoons
- 25 gm pine nuts (3 tablespoons)
- 100 gm onion finely diced
- 30 gm sultanas or golden raisins
- 450 ml boiling water 1¾ cups
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads or ½turmeric
Instructions
- Soak the rice in tepid water for 10 minutes; drain. While the rice is soaking, put half a kettle of water on to boil.
- Add the oil to a medium, thick-bottomed saucepan that has a fitting lid, over medium heat.
- Add the pine nuts to the saucepan and cook until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Transfer the pine nuts to a small bowl and set aside.
- Add the onion to the saucepan you cooked the pine nuts in, and cook until softened and just starting to brown, about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the rice and cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the sultanas, boiling water, salt, and saffron (or turmeric), turn the heat up to high, and bring it to a rolling boil.
- Give the rice a stir, then cover the saucepan, turn the heat down to very low, and cook until tender, about 10 minutes (do not open the lid during this time). Turn the heat off and let the rice sit (covered) 15 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle the toasted pine nuts on top; serve.
Recipe Notes
Make this rice with stock or broth or any other herbs you love.
The recipe is courtesy of An Edible Mosaic: Middle Eastern Fare with Extraordinary Flair by Faith Gorsky (Tuttle Publishing; Nov. 2012); reprinted with permission.
Here’s how to make Faiths original recipe for:
Mixed White and Yellow Rice serves 4-6
Mmm, your rice looks wonderful! I love your little changes 🙂
Heidi @ Food Doodles recently posted..An Edible Mosaic Book Launch Party and a Recipe!
Hello heidi, I am very pleased you visited …and thanks
I can’t thank you enough for participating in something that is so close to my heart…I am honored, Tania. Lol, I love your different variations – and I’m happy you’re having fun with the recipe!
I’m in love with your photos too. 🙂
Thanks Faith. I have had fun with it….mmm yes and I really am honoured you even mentioned my photos
hooray for faith, and your recreations of her recipes look lovely!
grace recently posted..a second helping
And hooray for grace always enthusiastic
I really liked the idea of adding cherries instead of raisins! Going to try that….as so often I have cherries in my pantry. It was an excellent side dish, wasn’t it? So many ways to change it.
Thanks for visiting….love your blog!
Hi Barbara. The sour cherries I have are American and not so easy to come by here but I thought they would be esy to find over your way
You have gorgeous photography! Beautiful dish too. I definitely enjoyed making the dish. The techniques, flavors, and simplicity of it… loved it! So glad I found your blog 🙂
Hi Jessica, I was thinking the same when I visited you
No feeling left out when it’s a virtual book launch. Love the rice and will definitely put the book on my wish list.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted..Cream of Tomato Soup for Sandy
Ha yes Maureen there is no escaping., but in a good way
I like the idea of sour cherries, I always find raisins a bit too sweet. Great idea with the book launch 🙂
InTolerant Chef recently posted..Steamed Coconut Buns
They did add a bit of a fruity kick. The colour was also good
I love your variations on this rice, especially all those herbs, I’m going to have to make it again this week!
Sue/the view from great island recently posted..Saffron Rice and An Edible Mosaic’s Virtual Book Launch Party!
I love herbs, I add them to everything. You cant go wrong with greens
Love rice dishes! Must be awesome with pinenuts and saffron.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Chocolate Stars with Pink Peppercorns
Hey Angie, yes it tastes lovely….maybe some pink peppercorns would also add some zing
Oh, this cookbook has a foreward by Lorraine! I’ll have to get myself a copy of this. I love your images, Tania. They’re worthy of prizes! And that’s a lovely recipe too xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..Eat, Drink Blog Conference
Yes, I am looking forward to the book myself….after giving it a little try. Thanks Charlie for giving my images the thumbs up
What a wonderful sounding book. I love this new way of launching cookbooks online – gives you a chance to see that the recipes really work in real homes and peek inside the book itself!
thelittleloaf recently posted..Sesame Milk Loaf
Yes, its a good idea, and its nice to see how the people you like are doing with their blogs
I love Middle-Eastern flavours and what a great idea to have a virtual book launch!
Claire @ Claire K Creations recently posted..In my Kitchen November – featuring the microwave pasta cooker
Yes very modern!!
I just heard this week that I had won a copy of this cookbook, which was already on my Amazon Wish List. Faith has such a great blog. I am thrilled to be receiving the book and also happy to read such a nice review. Thanks!
How lucky are you Victoria. I think its a very good book.
That mixed rice looks delicious.
yummychunklet recently posted..TwD: Baking (Not) Buttermilk Crumb Muffins with Julia
Recipe works well too…