Jeweled Rice

Ingredients:

2 cups rice, soaked
salt and pepper, to taste
a pinch of saffron
a pinch of sugar
zest of 1 orange
1 tablespoon vegan butter
2 potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 cup barberries
1/4 cup pistachios, slivered and toasted
1/4 cup almonds, slivered and toasted

Boil rice for 8 minutes and strain. Meanwhile, crush the saffron and sugar with a mortar and pestle. Steep in some butter.

Melt butter in a saucepan and arrange the potatoes on the bottom. Alternate layers of rice and barberries. Pour the saffron and orange zest over, cover, and cook on low heat until rice is tender.

Serve with nuts sprinkled over the top.