Saffron Rice

Rinse the rice under cool water until the water runs clear. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan, and add the salt. Add the rice to the boiling water, and continue to boil, uncovered, for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain well, and return the rice to the pot. Add the butter and 3 tablespoons of water, cover tightly, and cook over low heat for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the rice sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, pound the saffron threads to a powder using a mortar and pestle. Add 2 teaspoons hot water and stir to combine. Remove 1/3 cup of the rice from the pan and put it in a small bowl. Add the saffron water to the rice and stir until the rice is stained yellow. (Or if your mortar is large enough, add the rice directly to the saffron water in the mortar.) There shouldnt be any excess liquid. If there is, pour off the liquid. Return the rice to the pan, and stir gently to fluff and combine the white and golden grains of rice. Alternatively, add the pounded saffron to the pot along with the butter, rather than making a saffron-infused water. This way, the rice will be evenly yellow, as opposed to a mixture of white and golden grains of rice. Add 1/3 cup golden raisins or currants to the rice along with the butter, and stir in 1/3 cup chopped toasted almonds or toasted pine nuts just before serving.