Saffron rice salad

Ingredients :-

1 teaspoon saffron threads

6 green cardamom pods

6 cloves

1 cinnamon stick

450g/1lb basmati rice

2 tablespoons olive oil

squeeze of lemon juice

50g/2oz flaked almonds, toasted

salt and freshly ground

black pepper

Procedure :- 

• Put the saffron in a small bowl with 3 tablespoons boiling water, and leave to infuse while the rice is cooking.

• Pour 1 litre/13⁄4pt cold water into a pan, season with salt and bring to the boil. Add the spices and rice. Return to the boil, stir with a fork, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir the rice again, then pour in the saffron liquid without stirring. Cook for a further 5–10 minutes until all of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.

• Put the rice in a bowl and fluff up the grains with a fork. Stir in the oil and lemon juice, and leave to cool. Transfer to a large serving plate, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with the almonds.