Description

Serve this beautiful, tasty side-dish alongside your favorite meat. It is a spicy rice dish chock full of dried cherries, figs, apricots, pomegranate seeds, and pistachios. You could also add or substitute with cranberries or golden raisins.

Ingredients

• 1/2 t. saffron threads
• 2 T. butter or coconut oil
• 1/4 t. fennel seeds
• 1.4 t. cumin seeds
• a rounded 1/8 t. cinnamon
• a rounded 1/8 t. cardamom
• a rounded 1/8 t. allspice
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 1/2 c. basmati rice, rinsed well
• 2 bay leaves
• finely julienned rind of 1 lemon
• 1/4 c. dried tart cherries
• 1/4 c. dried Turkish apricots, diced
• 1/4 c. dried figs, diced
• 1/4 c. slivered almonds, toasted
• 1/4 c. pistachios, toasted
• seeds of 1 pomegranate for garnish

Steps

1. Mix the saffron threads in 2 1/4 cups of hot water. Set aside.
2. Melt the butter in a large skillet and saute the fennel and cumin seeds until they are fragrant, just a minute or two. Add the cinnamon, cardamom and allspice and stir to combine. Add the onion and saute over low heat until the onion is softened, about 10 minutes.
3. Add in the rice and saute it for 1- 2 minutes with the spices and onion.