Persian Rice - w/ Saffron & Rose – Zaran Saffron

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice (sela is best but any long grain basmati variety can be used, do not use brown basmati rice)
• 4 tbsp ghee (or unsalted butter or clarified butter) *see notes
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 2 tbsp chopped yellow onion
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 4.5 cups warm water (or diluted chicken stock/vegetable stock can be used) * read notes
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 12-15 strands of Zaran Saffron (grind the threads with a pinch of salt and infuse in 1 tbsp of warm water)
• 1 tbsp good quality rose water
• Few organic food grade rose petals (such as rose dose)