persiandinner

Tahdig with Saffron

Name: Tahdig with Saffron
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: persian
Ingredients: 3 cups basmati rice; 4 tbsp oil or ghee; 1 pinch saffron, bloomed in 3 tbsp hot water; 2 tsp salt; 1 tbsp yogurt

Persian crispy golden rice crust with saffron — the most coveted piece.

Prep

20 min

Cook

70 min

Servings

Difficulty

Medium

★★★★★

4.9(2,560 ratings)

#persian#rice#tahdig#saffron#vegetarian

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About This Recipe

Tahdig (bottom of the pot) is the crown jewel of Persian cooking — a thick, gloriously crispy golden crust infused with saffron. While potato tahdig is common, the saffron version is even more luxurious, turning the entire tahdig golden and aromatic. Breaking through that crispy crust to reveal the fluffy rice beneath is one of food's greatest pleasures.

Ingredients

Serves 6

3 cupsbasmati rice
4 tbspoil or ghee
1 pinchsaffron, bloomed in 3 tbsp hot water
2 tspsalt
1 tbspyogurt

Instructions

1
Parboil rice
Soak and parboil rice in salted water 6 minutes. Drain.
2
Make tahdig base
Heat oil in pot. Mix 2 tbsp cooked rice with yogurt and saffron water. Spread on bottom.
3
Layer rice
Mound remaining rice in a pyramid over saffron base. Make holes. Cover with towel-wrapped lid.
4
Steam
Cook 5 minutes on medium-high, then 50 minutes on low heat.
5
Flip
Place plate over pot and flip. Glorious golden saffron tahdig should emerge.

Pro Tips

→
The yogurt and saffron create the golden color and flavor.
→
Don't flip until fully cooked and steam has released.

Variations

•
Use yogurt with sumac.
•
Add ground pistachios.

Storage

Best eaten immediately.

History & Origin

Saffron tahdig is the most luxurious form of tahdig, reserved for special occasions and honored guests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my tahdig white instead of golden?

Saffron needs to be properly bloomed in hot water and mixed with yogurt for color and flavor to develop.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (350g / 12.3 oz) · 6 servings total

Calories380kcal

Protein7g

Carbohydrates72g

Fat8g

Fiber3g

Protein7g

Carbs72g

Fat8g

Time Summary

Prep time20 min

Cook time70 min

Total time90 min

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About This Recipe

Instructions

Parboil rice

Soak and parboil rice in salted water 6 minutes. Drain.

Make tahdig base

Heat oil in pot. Mix 2 tbsp cooked rice with yogurt and saffron water. Spread on bottom.

Layer rice

Mound remaining rice in a pyramid over saffron base. Make holes. Cover with towel-wrapped lid.

Steam

Cook 5 minutes on medium-high, then 50 minutes on low heat.

Flip

Place plate over pot and flip. Glorious golden saffron tahdig should emerge.