Since the time of early Egypt, saffron has been the spice of pharaohs, maharajas and kings. The price of saffron at $100 an ounce is often compared to gold. The intensive hand labor is what makes ...

Saffron rice, fresh mussels and herbs come together in Meni Valle’s breezy, Mediterranean-style seafood pilaf.

Learn how to make a classic Spanish paella loaded with fresh seafood, aromatic saffron, and flavorful rice. This authentic ...

If Oakland’s Helia Sadeghi had to eat one dish for the rest of her life, it would be crispy, buttery, comforting tahchin. In Sadeghi’s childhood home in Iran, the golden domed rice “cake” layered with ...

I have two jars of garam masala in my spice cabinet, but there are many more versions of this Indian spice blend. One of mine is quite aromatic and has a good amount of cayenne that gives it a real ...

Heat the oil over medium heat in a 2-3 qt. saucepan. When it shimmers, add the diced onion, stirring occasionally. If you see browning, turn the heat down a little. After 5 minutes, add the garlic, ...

I still get nervous every time I cook Iranian-style rice, even though I’ve done it—and spoken and written about it—hundreds of times. In my culture, cooking rice is a ceremonial process; it’s the true ...

Basmati rice is sautéed with cinnamon, cardamom and black pepper. Saffron “tea” is added toward the end of cooking, infusing the rice with flavor and the signature brilliant yellow of the saffron. The ...