Cuban Yellow Rice

Cuban Yellow Rice ~ Cuban style rice with sautéed onions, herbs, spices including saffron, and fluffed with peas creating a perfect balance to any meal.Protein, vegetables, and fruit are wonderful. I love them. But sometimes, sometimes, a girl needs rice! And sometimes, it needs to be Cuban Yellow Rice.

The other day when Darla and her family came by for dinner, for those scrumptious Grilled Chicken and BBQ Coleslaw Tacos, I needed another dish (or two) to round my meal out. I was inspired to make this Cuban Yellow Rice because of all of our recent chatter about Cuba and trying to work out a trip there next spring. Elizabeth and I took a trip to California in March at the same time Darla and her family took a trip to the Virgin Islands by way of Miami. They stopped for dinner in a Cuban restaurant their first night and shared their food pictures with me. It made me crave the food so much that I tracked down a Cuban restaurant near my grandparents. Since that meal, I’ve been obsessed with learning more about the cuisine.

Do you know what makes this dish really special, it’s the saffron. Those little red threads are full of amazing flavor!

Cuban Yellow Rice is pretty easy to make and fantastic. It really pairs well with almost anything. 

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Cuban Yellow Rice

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Cuban

Servings: 8

Author: Michelle De La Cerda

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Ingredients

• 8-10 long strands saffron (or double if broken)
• 1/4 cup HOT water
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 3 cups parboiled rice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• 4 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 cup frozen peas

Instructions

1. Place the saffron in the hot water, allow to steep for 20 minutes, the water will turn a deep yellow color.
2. After 20 minutes, pour the liquid through a fine mesh sieve (or coffee filter), discard the strands, reserve the liquid.
3. Heat a large sauté pan (one that has a lid, otherwise use a large saucepan) over medium heat, add the olive oil, roll to cover the pan, then add the onion.
4. Sauté the onion until it begins to turn translucent, about 5-7 minutes, add the salt and the rice.
5. Stirring constantly, cook the rice for several minutes until it begins to slightly brown.
6. Mix in the cumin, paprika, and oregano until they bloom and become fragrant.
7. Pour in the chicken broth and saffron liquid, mix well, and bring to a boil.
8. Boil for 2-3 minutes while stirring, reduce heat to low and continue to cook uncovered until the rice begins to absorb some of the water.
9. Cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
10. Stir in the peas, cover and continue to cook for 5 additional minutes or until the water has been completely absorbed.
11. Add the butter and using a fork, fluff the rice while mixing the butter in.
12. Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Notes

This recipe is adapted for the cookbook Celebrate Cuban by Three Guys from Miami, page 195

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