Kashmiri Pulao

                                                            I have been wanting to try out this (Kashmiri Pulao)aromatic and mildly sweet  rice recipe in a long time but somehow could not accomplish it.Today i had all the ingredients i wanted for this recipe and wanted to make some rice dish along with some rotis and dal for dinner tonight so finally got to make this pulao.You can try this in the summer!!!

You will Need

• 1 cup Basmati rice
• Few strands of saffron
• 3 Tbs Hot Milk
• Salt to taste

Fruits and Nuts

• 10 Almonds
• 10 Cashewuts
• 10 Walnuts
• 10 Raisins
• 2 tbs Ghee
• 1/4 cup chopped Apple
• 1/4 cup Chopped Pineapple
• 1/4cup Pomogrates

For Tempering

• 2 Tbs Ghee
• 3 Cloves
• 3 Cardamoms
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1 Black Cardamom
• 1 tsp Shahi Jeera
• 1/2 tsp Fennel Powder
• 1/2 tsp Dry Ginger powder

How to
1.Wash and soak Basmati rice for 20 - 30 Minutes.After soaking drain and keep aside.

2.Heat a thick bottomed pan(to cook the rice) with ghee.Temper with things given under to temper

The fennel powder and the dry ginger powder adds a flavour to the rice so do not skip it.Add them after adding the other ingredients.

3.add the washed rice saute for a minute.Add salt 13/4 cup water,sit and cook in low flame covered.

4.Soak a few strands of saffron in hot milk for 20 minutes.you can do that while soaking the rice.

5.Once the rice is almost cooked add the saffron and milk and cover it for few minutes.

6.Chop the nuts and fruits according to your preference and roast them in 2 tbs of ghee.

7.Once they become coated and glazed with the ghee remove from the stove and pour it over the rice.

Mix gently and serve with any spicy dish as the pulao is mildly sweet.The cruchy nuts,sour and sweet fruits and the aroma of the spices makes it a real royal treat!!!

Notes

• To make it more colourful you can add some tutti frutty and red cherries if you like.
• If you prefer you can add some fried onions and add while serving.
• Saute the nuts till crisp so that it gives a crunchy texture while serving.
• You can add a handfull of green or black grapes along with other fruits.