Saffron rice pudding for LiveSTRONG Day 2010 with a Taste of Yellow

LiveStrong is an event founded by Tour De France seven times champion and cancer survivor, Lance Armstrong. October 2nd is the day when people from all over the world come together to support and try to create awareness of cancer issues.

And so I happened to stumbled upon Shirley’s blog, Køkken 69 earlier in the week and learnt about LiveSTRONG day 2010 – Taste of Yellow Heart Series that is hosted by Barbara of winosandfoodies.com. It’s been a hectic week but I was determine to contribute a yellow dish.

saffron, cardamon and pistachio

Recipe taken from The Spice Spoon

Ingredients:

• 125g Basmati rice
• 1 + ½ tsp saffron strands
• 4 cups cold water
• 100gcup sugar
• 1 cup hot water
• 60g  unsalted butter
• 75ml cup rose water
• 3 cardamom pods; seeds extracted, pods discarded
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 30g cup slivered almonds
• handful slivered pistachios for adornment
• cinnamon powder for adornment

Basmati rice

Method:

1. Wash the Basmati in cold water 6 times till the milky water begins to run clear and soak for 1 hour
2. In the meanwhile, take 1 tsp of the saffron threads and crush with a pestle & mortar or back of a spoon in a small bowl
3. To this mixture, add ½ tsp of whole threads and 1 tbsp of warm water. Set aside
4. Add the Basmati to a pot with 4 cups of cold water on the lowest heat
5. Let the Basmati simmer for 30 minutes till you see it has cooked and moistened and the water has almost evaporated
6. To the moistened rice, add sugar mixed in hot water, rose water, butter, a cinnamon stick, almonds, cardamom seeds and the saffron infused liquid and stir gently
7. Cover and let cook for another 20 minutes
8. You will have to stir it occasionally, but gently, to ensure the rice is not sticking to the bottom of the pot
9. Uncover the lid and cook for another 20 minutes
10. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick and ladle pudding into 4 individual cups
11. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight
12. Serve with a sprinkling of powdered cinnamon and slivers of pistachios

I tried to kept to the theme by cutting out a heart shaped piece of pudding with a cookie cutter.

LiveStrong Heart Series

I have lost a friend and a family member through cancer. The battle is long and always painful. Let’s just take a moment to cherish those around us. And take a moment to remember those that we have lost.

saffron rice pudding

Hop onto the Livestrong foundation website if you ike to get involved or contribute or just to learn more.

LiveStrong
We fight to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.