Is there anyway to make something similar to saffron rice without the cost?

Question

My aunt has an Iranian husband and she always makes saffron rice. She gets her saffron straight from Iran, which greatly reduces the cost. I LOVE it, and crave it all the time, but I can't afford the saffron. Is there a spice that gets close to it? I know it won't be perfect, but I'm willing to experiment and see if there's something affordable that I could enjoy.

Answer 1

Why not have your aunt order saffron for you when she gets hers?  Or, maybe she'd let you buy a little of hers if she knows how much you love her rice. Nothing can really replace it's flavor.

Answer 2

well i agree with desi chef, and some yellow food colouring

Answer 3

Saute some rice in butter/ghee and try adding some cumin seeds, crushed green cardamom pods, 1 bay leaf, some cloves, a stick of cinnamon and a pinch of tumeric for color.  The rice will be very flavorful and aromatic.  You could add a drop or 2 of either rose water or orange blossom water at the end of cooking, this will give your rice a wonderful floral fragrance.

KASHMIRI PULAO:  this is a delicious rice dish, just omit the saffron, it will still be yummy!

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art5...

Answer 4

If you only want the color, I suggest you use anniato (achiote) powder and to flavor it use a pinch of cumin seed powder, coriander and perhaps a pinch of curry powder ( for that spiciness), salt to taste.

Answer 5

you could try a bit of tumeric which would give it that yellow color.