Ingredients:

• 250 gm – basmati Rice
• 100 gm – Sugar
• 20 strands – Saffron soaked in 1/2 cup of Milk
• 3 tbsp – Ghee
• 15 – Raisins
• 15 – cashew nuts, halved

Method:

1. Wash and soak the rice for about 20 minutes. Boil the rice in sufficient water. After a boil, simmer.
2. Cook till the rice is three-fourth done.
3. Drain the water and cool it completely in a plate.
4. Take sugar in a saucepan.
5. Add enough water to cover the sugar and cook on a medium flame.
6. Stir continuously to make a syrup of one thread consistency.
7. Add saffron to the lukewarm milk and soak it for 15-20 mins.
8. Lightly heat 2 tbsp ghee, fry the raisins and keep aside.
9. Fry the cashewnuts in ghee till golden.
10. Lightly heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a heavy bottom vessel and add the rice.
11. Add the sugar syrup, soaked saffron to the rice and mix gently.
12. Keep the vessel on a pre-heated tawa on a low flame for about 10 mins.
13. Serve garnished with fried raisins and cashewnuts.

Recipe courtesy of Anita Raheja