Taste of Fall: Saffron-Infused Biryan Recipe

Name: Taste of Fall: Saffron-Infused Biryan
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 5 -6 saffron strands; 1 pinch sugar; 2 tablespoons hot water; 2 medium onions, chopped; 2 tablespoons mixed spice; 2 lbs ground meat (optional) or 1 ½ cups quinoa, cooked; 3 cups basmati rice; 4 cups water; 5 tablespoons biryani spice mix; 1 head cauliflower; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced; 3 -4 garlic cloves, smashed; 1 cup green beans; 2 tomatoes; 3 large carrots; 3 zucchini; ½ cup cashews or ½ cup almonds; ⅓ cup frozen peas; ¼ cup cilantro

Servings: persons

5 -6 saffron strands
1 pinch sugar
2 tablespoons hot water
2 medium onions, chopped
2 tablespoons mixed spice
2 lbs ground meat (optional) or 1 ½ cups quinoa, cooked
3 cups basmati rice
4 cups water
5 tablespoons biryani spice mix
1 head cauliflower
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
3 -4 garlic cloves, smashed
1 cup green beans
2 tomatoes
3 large carrots
3 zucchini
½ cup cashews or ½ cup almonds
⅓ cup frozen peas
¼ cup cilantro

1
Thoroughly grind the saffron threads with the sugar.
2
Add the hot water and allow the saffron to steep and become fragrant.
3
Cook the rice in water, biryani paste and saffron.
4
While the rice is cooking, clean, trim and cut vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
5
Brown the onion in a bit of olive oil and salt.
6
Add turmeric, ground meat, if any, or quinoa and brown for another 10 minutes or so.
7
Once the water has been absorbed (~10 mins), gently fold the vegetables (all but the peas) and meat/quinoa into the rice and cover the pot.
8
Reduce the heat and allow the vegetables to cook (~20-30 mins).
9
Turn off the heat and gently mix the frozen peas into the rice.
10
Sprinkle few sprigs of fresh coriander (cilantro) and crunchy toasted cashews on top for a sexy finish.

971

kcal

Calories

Fat

197

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 19 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 5 -6 saffron strands, 1 pinch sugar, 2 tablespoons hot water, 2 medium onions, chopped, and more.

Yes, Taste of Fall: Saffron-Infused Biryan falls under the Vegetarian category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Taste of Fall: Saffron-Infused Biryan

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions