published Mar 24, 2021, updated Oct 11, 2024 Want to learn a new Middle Eastern dish? This tahchin recipe is deceptively easy to make, and has a unique mixture of ingredients that you may have never used before. In this Persian saffron rice dish, you combine deep Middle Eastern flavors with basmati rice and bake them into a golden rice cake. The star of this dish is the bloomed saffron mixed into a rich yogurt sauce that coats each grain. Don’t let the floral and fruity ingredients fool you- this cake is not a dessert! It’s predominantly savory. The saffron, barberries, and golden raisins add a sweet floral note that isn’t at all overpowering. If you like this dish and want to explore more Persian flavors, then you should try Crispy Rice and Saffron Rice with Apricot recipes!
INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Finely Ground Saffron – This essential Persian seasoning has a floral sweetness. Grind using a mortar and pestle if you can. Otherwise, grind with your hands. Orange Zest – Sweet and citrusy, it goes well with the saffron, rose water, fruit, and yogurt. Basmati- This is the best rice to use to form a solid rice cake. It is long grained and becomes even longer when cooked. Dried Barberries – Barberries are sour and become milder when cooked. Dried, tart cherries or cranberries make a great substitute. Golden Raisins – Also known as sultanas, these are both sweeter and juicer than your average purple raisin. Large Egg Yolks – Fatty and golden, yellow egg yolks will add body and flavor to the sauce. Whole Milk Yogurt – This forms the body of the sauce. Do not substitute this ingredient with Greek yogurt, as it is much too thick. Vegetable Oil – is an integral ingredient in the yogurt sauce, and used to coat the pan to make sure the tahdig (crispy bottom) does not stick. This is vital to ensuring the cake stays in one piece! (Optional) Rose Water – It pairs beautifully with the floral saffron and enhances the aroma of the dish.
Video: Making Tahchin
Making this dish is fun and easy! Watch the video in the recipe card below to see it in action.
HOW TO MAKE BASMATI RICE FOR TAHCHIN
- Rinse and Boil. Bring your water to a rolling boil and stir in ¼ cup of salt. While the water is boiling, rinse the basmati with warm water and a strainer until the water runs clear. Add the rinsed basmati to the water and stir regularly to keep it from sticking. Once the rice rises and becomes tender but still slightly firm, drain and rinse it with cold water. IMPORTANT NOTE!Be careful when working with saffron. The natural color can stain fabric, counter tops, and even your skin.
HOW TO MAKE TAHCHIN
- Prepare Seasonings. In a large bowl, combine the saffron with 2 tablespoons of warm water. Let sit until its color turns into a deep red. Zest an orange for 1 teaspoon.
- Prepare Fruit. In a skillet on medium-low heat, melt the butter and add the barberries and golden raisins. Once plumped and warmed, remove from the heat and add the orange zest and optional rose water.
- Create the Yogurt Sauce. Drop the egg yolks, yogurt, oil, and salt into the saffron and combine thoroughly. Fold in the basmati, ensuring it becomes coated.
- Pack the Pan. Coat your pan with oil and add half of the basmati, packing it onto the bottom. Top with half of the fruit mixture, and firmly pack the remaining basmati on top.
- Bake. Cover the pan and place on a rack in the lower third of an oven preheated to 400°F. Bake for 65-75 minutes, until the bottom and edges are golden brown. Remove, uncover, and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- Separate and Serve. Run a knife around the edges of the pan. Cover with a plate and flip upside down to remove the cake. Arrange the leftover fruit on top, slice, and serve.
What is in tahchin?
Ingredients vary from recipe to recipe. Generally speaking, it is rice coated in a yogurt sauce and baked in a dish to form a cake. It always has a crunchy crust (tahdig), regardless of the seasonings and ingredients used. It is sometimes made with chicken, and is usually seasoned with saffron.
What kind of pan should I use to cook tahchin?
I use a 10” glass pie dish. Yours does not have to be the same shape or size, but be sure to use a glass baking dish. This will allow you to check on the color of the dish as it bakes so that you can take it out as soon as it’s nicely golden and prevent it from burning.
Are tahchin and tahdig the same?
Almost, but not quite! Tahchin is the name of the Persian saffron rice cake as a whole, while tahdig is the term for the crispy, golden bottom layer.
Can I prepare the tahchin and refrigerate before baking?
Yes. You can combine the basmati and the yogurt sauce up to a day in advance. Once you’re ready to bake it, let sit out for 30 minutes or so before popping it in the oven.
