Saffron Rice Pilaf With Red Peppers & Toasted Almonds

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth (can substitute water, but won't be quite as good)
• 1/8 teaspoon saffron (about 20 threads or a "pinch")
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, small diced (1 1/4 cups)
• 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and small diced (about one cup)
• 1 1/2 cups long-grain rice (i use basmatti)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, more if needed
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, divided
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped (can use half as much dry)

Recipe

• 1 on the stove top or in the microwave, heat the broth until hot. add the saffron, cover, and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
• 2 meanwhile, in a heavy-based 3-quart saucepan with a tight lid, heat the oil over medium heat. add the diced onion and bell pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned, about 5 minutes.
• 3 add the rice, salt and cayenne, and stir well to coat each grain with oil. toast for a full five minutes, stirring regularly to keep the grains separated and to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan (the rice may turn opaque before 5 minutes is up, but keep going). reduce the heat to low if there are any signs of scorching. stir in 2 tablespoons of parsley and the garlic.
• 4 add the saffron broth, stir once, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 18 minutes. remove from the heat, and let the pilaf sit, still covered, for five minutes.
• 5 once the pilaf has rested, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. using the fork, gently fold in the almonds, the remaining parsley, and the oregano. taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
• 6 p.s. you might be tempted to leave out the saffron because it's expensive, but don't do it! it's worth every penny, and one jar goes a long way. if you have a trader joe's in your area, you can pick up a jar for about three to four bucks. if you don't have a tj's, i'm sorry for you.