Rice is something that is served either all at once in my house or nothing at all. Feast or Famine, if you will. We will eat it every night for a couple of weeks and then I won’t make it again for a month or two. The problem with rice is is that you are usually just having the same old same old brown rice. It can get boring. Predictable.

And I needed a change.

So one night I made some saffron rice to go along with some grilled chicken we were having for a family dinner. It required maybe 15 more seconds of thought and preparation but took my boring brown rice side up several BIG notches.

Besides having a new meal friend, adding saffron has some great medicinal properties in it. Saffron is known to cure couches, stomach gas, insomnia and helps reduce enlargement of the liver and asthma.

Other ways to enjoy this dish

• Make a chunky puree by mixing some apple and chicken puree to rice and quickly blending until you have the right chunky consistency for your little one. 
• For a well-balanced toddler dinner, add black beans, chunks of cooked chicken or fish and cooked peas. 
• Combine a pea and a pear puree with rice and blend until chunky or smooth, depending on preference. 
• Mix shredded carrots, raisins and almond slivers in with rice for a perfect side dish.

Easy Saffron Brown Rice

1 cup organic long grain brown rice
1 1/2 cup water
1 big pinch saffron
1 cinnamon stick or 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp organic butter
salt to taste

In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, saffron and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for 35-40 minutes or until all water is absorbed.

Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Discard cinnamon stick. Fluff with fork. Add butter, mix in till melted. Add salt to taste.