Hello there! Today, I want to share with you one of my favorite recipes from back home: Portuguese saffron rice. This delicious dish is not only easy to make but also packed with flavor.
Growing up in Portugal, I remember my mother making this dish for us on special occasions. It was always a treat to see her in the kitchen, stirring the rice and adding the saffron. The aroma would fill the house and we knew we were in for a treat.
Now that I live in the USA, I still make this dish for my family and friends. It’s a great way to share a little bit of my culture with them and introduce them to the wonderful flavors of Portugal.
But enough about me, let’s talk about this delicious dish! Portuguese saffron rice is made with just a few simple ingredients: rice, onion, liquid Vaqueiro (a type of margarine), saffron, boiling water, and salt. It’s easy to make and can be ready in just 20 minutes.
The key to making this dish is to use high-quality saffron. Saffron is a spice that comes from the flower of the crocus plant and is known for its distinct flavor and aroma. It’s also packed with antioxidants and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
To make this dish, you start by peeling and finely chopping an onion. Then you brown it with the liquid Vaqueiro until it’s nice and caramelized. Next, you add the rice and let it absorb the fat, stirring so it doesn’t burn. Then you sprinkle it with saffron, pour in the boiling water, and season with salt. Finally, you cover it and cook it over moderate heat for 15 to 18 minutes.
Once it’s done cooking, you’ll be left with a delicious pot of fluffy rice that’s bursting with flavor. You can serve it as a side dish or as a main course with some protein on top.
In my next post, I’ll share some tips on how to customize this recipe and take it to the next level. But for now, give this recipe a try and let me know what you think! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cups of rice
- 1 onion
- 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil
- teaspoon of saffron
- 1/2 cups of boiling water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Peel and finely chop the onion and brown it with the olive oil.
- Add the rice and let it absorb the fat, stirring so it doesn’t burn.
- Sprinkle with saffron, pour in the boiling water and season with salt.
- Cover and cook over moderate heat for 15 to 20 minutes.
Notes
- Add some garlic: Garlic is a great addition to this recipe. You can add 2-3 cloves of minced garlic when you brown the onion. This will give the rice a nice flavor and aroma.
- Use chicken broth instead of water: If you want to add more flavor to the rice, you can use chicken broth instead of water. This will give the rice a richer taste and aroma.
- Add some vegetables: You can add some vegetables to this recipe to make it more nutritious. You can add some chopped carrots, peas, or bell peppers when you brown the onion.
- Use brown rice instead of white rice: If you want to make this recipe healthier, you can use brown rice instead of white rice. Brown rice is more nutritious and has more fiber than white rice.
- Add some protein: You can add some protein to this recipe to make it more filling. You can add some cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu when you add the saffron.
- Add some herbs: You can add some herbs to this recipe to give it more flavor. You can add some chopped parsley or cilantro when the rice is done cooking.
