Ingredients:

• 2 cups – basmati Rice
• 2 cups – Sugar
• 2.5 cups – hot water
• 1.5 cup – fresh Orange juice
• 4 – cardamoms, whole
• 4 – cloves, whole
• 1 inch piece – cinnamon, halved
• 1 tbsp – Raisins
• 2 tbsp – blanched almonds, slivered
• 2 tsp – pistachios, slivered
• 1/2 tsp – Saffron strands
• 1 tbsp – hot Milk
• 1 – Lemon juice extracted
• 2 tbsp – Ghee

Method:

1. Wash and soak basmati rice for 15 mins.
2. Drain rice in a colander and keep it aside.
3. Heat ghee in a large, heavy or non-stick pan.
4. Add the spices and allow to splutter.
5. Add rice and stir very gently for half a minute.
6. Add hot water and lemon juice.
7. Cover and cook till the rice is half cooked.
8. Add orange juice and let it cook further.
9. Each grain should be separate but not mushy.
10. Dissolve saffron in hot milk, by rubbing into it.
11. Add sugar, raisins, 3/4 almonds and saffron to the rice.
12. Cover securely and cook till rice is properly cooked.
13. Stir gently, and allow any extra moisture present to evaporate.
14. Garnish with remaining almonds, pistas and serve warm.

Recipe courtesy of Saroj Kering