The Health Benefits of Saffron
The Health Benefits of Saffron.
If there’s one spice I’m familiar with, it’s saffron. My family comes from Iran, which means that saffron was added to almost every food in our home, from rice to dessert. When I left home, I was given a supply of saffron that lasted me for years; it only takes a pinch to lend a flavor that many describe as flowery, earthy, or bitter. To me, it simply tastes like home.
Between 200 and 400 tons of saffron are produced worldwide every year, around 90% in Iran. Besides its ubiquitousness in Persian cuisine, saffron is also frequently used in the cuisines of Spain, Italy, and Morocco.
Saffron has long been considered a niche ingredient elsewhere, but that seems to be changing. From saffron tea to lattes to capsules, suddenly the spice is appearing in cafes and on wellness shelves the world over. (Recently, I even discovered a saffron latte on the menu of a café in Cologne, Germany.)
vanilla, cinnamon, and citrus zest.”
How to make Persian tahdig
Personally, I think that the lovely scent of saffron alone offers plenty of wellness properties. That’s why I love to share my favorite, easy saffron recipe—one that tastes delicious and smells amazing when cooked at home. The recipe is my grandma’s.
Anyone familiar with Persian cuisine will know tahdig—a traditional Iranian dish that features a crispy, golden layer of rice. To make tahdig especially delicious, potatoes and saffron are a must.
To make tahdig, first cook the desired amount of basmati rice as usual, then drain and set aside. While the rice cooks, peel a potato and cut into very thin slices and soak a few saffron threads (or some saffron powder) in a little warm water to release the color and aroma.
Melt some butter on the bottom of a non-stick pan. Spread the potato slices evenly over the base—they will later form the golden, crispy crust.
Carefully layer the precooked rice on top of the potatoes and drizzle with the dissolved saffron water. Place a clean kitchen towel or a piece of kitchen paper between the pan and the lid to trap the steam and steam the rice slowly over a low to medium heat until an aromatic, golden brown crust has formed.
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