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Tahdig (Crispy Persian Rice)

Golden like a sunset, this Persian rice recipe is irresistibly crispy, fluffy, and bursting with Middle Eastern flavors from the saffron, turmeric, and yogurt!

What is Tahdig?

What You'll Need

You'll only need basmati rice, vegetable oil. and a few other simple ingredients to make this easy recipe.

Grind the Saffron

01

Grind the saffron threads to make a fine powder.

Bloom the Saffron

02

Add cold water, stir, and let sit for 10 minutes. Then stir again and let sit for 5 minutes.

Mix the Yogurt

03

In a separate bowl, whisk the yogurt, ground turmeric, saffron mixture, and yolk until well combined.

Add Rice

04

Boil rice to al dente, then add a quarter of it to the mixture. Use a wooden spoon to fold it in gently.

Prepare the Crust

05

Add the oil to a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Add the yogurt-rice mixture and cook for 5 minutes.

Add Remaining Rice

06

Add the remaining rice on top and spread it out evenly.

Poke Holes

07

Drizzle the ghee on top. Use the back of a spoon to poke holes in the rice, without touching the bottom of the pot.

Cook the Tahdig

08

Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Cook for 30 minutes or until the rice at the bottom is crispy.

Unstick the Rice

09

Remove from heat, remove lid, and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Then slide a spoon along the edges of the rice to loosen it.

Flip It

10

Place a large, extended plate over the pot. Carefully flip the pot and plate over.

Serve

11

Set it on the table and remove the pot. Enjoy!

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