Saffron rice

1. Preheat Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C). This ensures the oven is at the right temperature when you're ready to bake the rice.

2. Soak Saffron

While the oven is heating up, soak the saffron in the milk. Simply combine the saffron and milk in a small bowl and place it in a warm spot or on the stove. The warmth helps the saffron release its rich color and flavor, turning the milk a beautiful golden hue.

3. Boil Water

Next, fill a 4-quart pot with 13 cups of water, add the salt, and bring it to a boil. This large volume of water helps the rice cook evenly and prevents clumping.

4. Wash Rice

In the meantime, place the rice in a colander and wash it thoroughly under cold running water. This step removes excess starch from the rice, ensuring it cooks up fluffy and separate.

5. Parboil Rice

Once the water is boiling, add the washed rice to the pot and let it boil for about 5 minutes. This brief parboiling step starts the cooking process and allows the rice to absorb some of the salted water.

6. Drain Rice

After 5 minutes, drain the rice in the colander, allowing all the water to run off.

7. Transfer to Dish

Transfer the drained rice into an ovenproof dish. Make sure the dish is large enough to hold the rice comfortably, allowing it to expand as it cooks.

8. Add Saffron Milk

Pour the saffron-infused milk over the rice, ensuring it is evenly distributed. The saffron milk will infuse the rice with its luxurious color and aroma as it bakes.

9. Add Butter

Cut the butter into four pats and place them on top of the rice. As the rice bakes, the butter will melt and coat the grains, adding richness and flavor.

10. Cover with Foil

To seal the dish, cut a piece of aluminum foil that is about 2 inches larger than the rim of the dish. Cover the dish with the foil, making sure it is tightly sealed. This traps the steam and helps the rice cook evenly.

11. Bake Rice

Place the sealed dish in the preheated oven and bake the rice at 300°F (150°C) for 45-50 minutes. This gentle baking process allows the rice to cook through while absorbing all the flavors of the saffron and butter.

12. Serve Rice

Once the rice is done, remove the dish from the oven and carefully peel back the foil. Spoon the fragrant, golden rice onto a warm platter, ready to be served.