Rice

'If I need a quick side dish that has flair and flavor, I whip this tasty pilaf in a jiffy on the stovetop,' says Elizabeth Perez of Flower Mound, Texas. 'The jalapeno pepper, herbs and spices season the rice nicely. It's one of those side dishes that goes well with anything.'

Indian saffron is richer, darker in its red-orange color then the Spanish or Italian, and gives a better flavor to rice. The saffron should always be steeped in hot water ahead of time and used as part of the liquid in the recipe. The following is a recipe prepared in the Indian manner.