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Persian-Style Saffron Basmati Rice with Tahdig

Persian-Style Saffron Basmati Rice with Tahdig features tender, aromatic grains infused with butter, cumin, and a whisper of saffron for warmth and color. A crisp, golden potato crust forms the prized tahdig, offering a satisfying contrast to the fluffy rice beneath. Serve it for family dinners or festive gatherings alongside stews, kebabs, or roasted vegetables.

  • Prep15 mins
  • Cook55 mins
  • Serves8
  • DifficultyMedium
Persian-Style Saffron Basmati Rice with Tahdig

easyChef Pro health score

Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Persian-Style Saffron Basmati Rice with Tahdig, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.

49 Health Score
Glycemic ImpactFair
52 / 100
Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
Nutritional DensityPoor
12 / 100
Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
Energy DensityGood
93 / 100
Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
1 / 4
Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.

How it scores for each health goal

The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.

56
Heart Health
41
Metabolic
52
Digestive
24
Inflammatory
23
Performance
48
General Wellness
  1. 1

    Put water and kosher salt in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the rice; cook, stirring, for exactly 7 minutes. Drain.

  2. 2

    Warm the olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Lay a single layer of potato slices on the bottom of the pot. Sprinkle the potatoes with cumin and salt. Cook until the potatoes are sizzling, 2 to 3 minutes; add the rice on top to make an even layer. Lower the heat to low and place the butter slices over the rice.

  3. 3

    Cover the pot with a layer of clean paper towels, then set the lid on top of the towels. Steam until the rice is fluffy, about 45 minutes.

  4. 4

    Grind the saffron threads with a mortar and pestle. Combine the crushed saffron with 1 1/2 tablespoons hot water in a large bowl. Add a couple spoonfuls of rice to the saffron mixture and stir until the rice turns yellow.

  5. 5

    Spoon the remaining rice into a serving bowl. Top with the saffron rice and arrange the potatoes around the edges of the bowl. Garnish with parsley.

About This Recipe

Persian Style Saffron Basmati Rice with Tahdig is made with 9 ingredients and serves 8. It takes about 1 hr 10 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Basmati Rice, Butter, Fresh Parsley, and Ground Cumin. Each serving provides about 328.76 kcal, and is a good source of fiber.

Recipe Questions

What is Persian-Style Saffron Basmati Rice with Tahdig made of?
The main ingredients are Basmati Rice, Butter, Fresh Parsley, Ground Cumin, Olive Oil. The full list of 9 is above.
How long does it take to make Persian-Style Saffron Basmati Rice with Tahdig?
About 1 hr 10 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 55 mins to cook.
How many calories are in one serving?
One serving provides about 328.76 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
Is Persian-Style Saffron Basmati Rice with Tahdig easy to make?
This recipe is rated medium, with 9 ingredients and 5 steps.
Is Persian-Style Saffron Basmati Rice with Tahdig healthy?
Persian-Style Saffron Basmati Rice with Tahdig has an easyChef Pro health score of 49/100. Per serving, it provides 328.76 calories and 3.96 g of protein, or 8% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of dietary fiber. Worth noting per serving: saturated fat at 3.47 g (17% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 14.91 g (30% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.

How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products

easyChef Pro analyzes up to 41 nutrients using data sourced from USDA and other verified food databases. Its scoring method uses the nutrients relevant to nutrition quality, calorie density, processing level, and your selected health goal. Recipes and food products get a health score from 0 to 100, calculated using consistent rules instead of being estimated by AI. The same nutrition data, serving size and health goal will produce the same result.

The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.

Your health goal also matters. easyChef Pro evaluates recipes and products across six health areas and adjusts their importance for your selected goal. This means the same food may be a better fit for one health goal than another.

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