Name: Saffron pilaf
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: ¼ tsp saffron threads; 20 gm unsalted butter, coarsely chopped; 1 tbsp finely diced onion; 100 gm basmati rice, rinsed (½ cup); 1 tbsp dry white wine or vermouth, such as Noilly Prat; 250 ml chicken or fish stock, warmed (1 cup); 1 small fresh bay leaf

Saffron pilaf

Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for saffron pilaf from Damien Pignolet.

Serves 2

Prep

10M

Cook

35M

Total

45M

Ingredients

¼ tsp saffron threads

20 gm unsalted butter, coarsely chopped

1 tbsp finely diced onion

100 gm basmati rice, rinsed (½ cup)

1 tbsp dry white wine or vermouth, such as Noilly Prat

250 ml chicken or fish stock, warmed (1 cup)

1 small fresh bay leaf

Method

Main

1.Preheat oven to 100C. Toast saffron on a small oven tray until fragrant (5 minutes). Increase oven to 140C. Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, add onion and sauté until tender (3-4 minutes).

2.Add rice and saffron, stir to toast and warm through (1-2 minutes), then add wine or vermouth and let it bubble. Add stock, season to taste, bring to the boil, add bay leaf, cover and transfer to oven. Bake until rice is tender and stock is absorbed (20 minutes), stand for 5 minutes and serve hot with [lobster à l’Américaine](https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/browse-all/lobster-a-lamericaine-14200|target=”_blank”).

Damien Pignolet

Styling by Emma Knowles