Saffron Pilaf with Honey and Almonds

This fragrant rice with raisins and toasted nuts gets its beautiful golden colour from Persian saffron.  One of the world’s most expensive spices, saffron has a deep flavour that isn’t found in American saffron also known as saffron (good for colour but adding no flavour).

4 to 6 tbsp toasted nuts (pistachios, pine nuts, almonds, your choice)
2 tbsp butter or olive oil
1/2 cup onion, finely diced
1 cup basmati rice
1 ¼ cups water
2 tbsp golden or green raisins
1 tsp Beary Berry Honey (see notes)
1/2 tsp salt (less or more to taste)
1/2 tsp saffron threads
4 cardamom pods lightly crushed (if you have them)

  1. In a medium fry pan, toast the nuts until golden brown, shaking and stirring often so they don’t burn. Pour them onto a heat-safe plate or bowl and allow them to cool completely. When cooled, coarsely chop them.
  2. To the hot pan, add the butter and onion and stir cook until softened and just starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the rice and stir cook another minute or two to lightly toast the rice.
  4. Add the water (careful – it will steam voraciously), raisins, honey, salt, saffron (crush the threads in the palm of your hand with your thumb before adding them) and cardamom pods (if you have).
  5. Reduce heat to low immediately and cover. Simmer until rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir it a couple of times while cooking.
  6. Remove the rice from the heat, fluff gently with a fork and cover again, letting it stand covered at least 10 minutes and up to 30.
  7. Adjust seasoning to your taste, then stir in half of the toasted nuts. Plate and garnish with remaining nuts.

Suggestions: