Saffron Rice And Punjabi Okra

Whenever I make a rich curry or masala, I prefer to serve it with a milder tasting rice. But making peas or jeera pulao over and over pushed me to look for other options. I landed making saffron rice, and needless to say, instantly took a liking toward it. After all, what is there not to like about saffron and the aromatic basmati rice? Sunita, this is my humble entry for Think Spice – Saffron.

Saffron Rice

Saffron Rice

Ingredients

Basmati rice – 1 cup
Water – 1½ cups
Saffron – 2 pinches
Cloves – 2
Cardamom – 2, slightly crushed
Salt – ¾ tsp

Method

Mix all of the above and pressure cook until 2 whistles. Fluff and serve.

Punjabi Okra

When I see okra, I can only think of it in sambar, pan fried with spices or stuffed. But when they are abundant, I venture into untrodden paths. This curry may sound simple, but the tangy yogurt and sweet okra are a good duo.

Punjabi Okra

Ingredients

Okra or ladies finger – 2 cups, chopped into 2 inch pieces
Onion – 1, sliced
Tomato – 2, chopped
Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
Green chillies – 2, slit
Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
Garam masala – ½ tsp
Red chilli powder – ¼ tsp
Coriander powder – ½ tsp
Turmeric – ¼ tsp
Yogurt – ¼ cup
Salt
Oil

Method

Heat oil, and toast cumin seeds. Add onions, green chillies and garlic and sauté until onions turn soft. Add tomatoes and sauté for another minute. Add okra, coriander powder, turmeric, red chilli powder and salt. Mix well, sprinkle water, cover and cook until okra is done. Sprinkle garam masala and add yogurt. Combine well and heat through.

37 comments:

Kalva said...

Wow.. I do in a similar way. Your pics are awesome!!

Raaga said...

I am not sure if you got my last comment. I too end up making jeera rice, so will bookmark this one and try it.

Nabeela said...

I have been meaning to try saffron rice(kesar bhaat) for a while too. By the way, I have a question about the okra curry. How does it taste? Tangy? Sour? Sweet?

Raks said...

I like your punjabi Okra..!!

Viji said...

Good Combo Suganya. Viji

sra said...

That's an unusual combination, okra curry and saffron rice!

Anonymous said...

have never made saffron rice before,but your recipe looks very easy.will give it a try!:)
paati

Bindiya said...

sfron makes everything so exotic!,great combo, think it will taste good too.

Unknown said...

Awesome!!!! I culd smell the rice.

Siri said...

Dear Suganya, both the pics are so mouth-watering ... and just love Okra.. in whatever form or shape..:D thanks for the recipes.. esp saffron rice..

Finla said...

Yum. I love both the dish.

Padma said...

Ohh! I much I want that platter, saffron rice and punjabi bhendi is a perfect combination for a weekend treat...nice post!

Richa said...

bhindi looks very good!

Pravs said...

Beautiful pics. Both the rice and okra looks yummy nad tempting.

Bharathy said...

Elegant entry...Awesome shots!!

DK said...

I have made saffron rice, but dint like it much..will try once more this way and try :)

Great pics!

amna said...

nice and simple. i am breaking my head over what to make with saffron. first of all i need to buy it..

Bong Mom said...

Saffron Rice looks lovely. I make this kind of okra too but generally do not chop the okras

musical said...

Saffron rice picture is gorgeous, Suganya! well, all your pictures are :). and its a simple yet wholesome recipe! Love the dahi bhindi too.

remya said...

safforn rice looks lovely......nice pics

Red Chillies said...

What a beautiful combination Suganya. The rice looks so colorful and the okra yummy!

Sharmi said...

very glamorous looking rice and subzi Suganya!! I have never made saffron rice. have to try out sometime.

Apple said...

Saffron Rice looks simple n colorful..Punjabi Okra looks great...

sunita said...

Hey Suganya, I think anything with saffron in it is instantly elevated to a higher level...we too are great fans of this rice...thanks for the lovely entry.

Susan said...

Usually, Suganya, I can "only" taste your photos with my eyes. This rice, however, is wafting its fragrance clear across the continental U.S.

Laavanya said...

I love the colour that the saffron imparts to the rice.

Sig said...

looks yummy... I make a similar okra dish, but the okra is fried in oil first... I can just imagine the taste!

Grihini said...

Rice n Okra looks yumm

Cynthia said...

You may call the entry humble and while it may be so, in your hands my friend, it becomes gourmet.

I love okras and will definitely try making it the way you did.

Please share my love with G. Yeah that means the love is for you, and you can share it with G :)

Hope you all are having a good weekend.

Seena said...

Nice recipe..today this is my second saffron rice recipe view..loved punjabi okra too..

Tee said...

I can imagine the fragrance and flavor that the saffron must be lending to the rice...looks pretty too! :) as for okra...i love it any which way :)

Prajusha said...

suganya,
both looks mouthwatering.

Kribha said...

wow..lovely pics. I do saffron rice too. But I add some dry fruits to this. Nice pics.

Swaruchy said...

Suganya...Both look made for each other.....Very comforting food :-)

KayKat said...

I'm usually not a big okra person, but this sounds delicious. Maybe I'll just try it :)

I love the saffron rice - another one of those simple, yet delectable rice dishes!

Like always, awesome pictures!

Neelam said...

I make the okra in the sameway too!
Lovely Pictures1

Latha Narasimhan said...

The colour of the blogoshere is changing! From mustard to saffron!! :)) Thanks to you that I get to know of these events!!:)) Nice entry suganya!

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