Kashmiri Pulav | Rice rich with fruits and dry fruits

We have tasted Kashmiri Pulav in restaurants but I have never tried this in home. This time when I had home grown papaya and pineapple - this recipe struck me...

Kashmiri pulao is unlike the normal pulao recipes will not be spicy rather it will be slightly sweet. This  pulao is garnished with both dry fruits and fresh fruits. Dry fruits gives warmth and is ideal for the cold climate of kashmir. The fresh fruits which are usually added in kashmiri pulao are pineapple, apple and pomegranate. Dry fruits which are added are generally a mix of almonds, raisins, pistachios, walnuts and cashews. Most variations of making this pulao will use a different mix of fruits and dry fruits.



H is a fan of this pulav. So needless to say - he just loved it. I served this with a spicy curry. PAneer curries would be good combination.

Ingredients:

Basmathi Rice / Jeera rice - 2 cups - 250 grams
Milk - 1 cup - 125 grams
Saffron - 2 pinch
Papaya - 1 cup - 100 grams
Pineapple - 1 cup - 100 grams
Raisins - 2 tbspn - 20 grams
Cashewnuts - 2 tbspn - 20 grams
Cherries - 2 tbspn - 20 grams
Onion - 1 - 100 grams
Ghee - 2 tbspn - 25 grams
Mace - 1
cloves - 4
Cardamom - 3
Sugar - 1/2 tsp - 3 grams
Vegetables - 1/2 cup - 50 grams (optional)
Salt - as per taste

Method:

• Wash the rice and soak it in water for 20 minutes.
• In a heavy bottomed deep pan, add ghee (reserve 1-2 tsp for roasting the nuts)and add the whole spices (mace,cloves and cardamom) and add sugar.
• Add in the soaked rice to this (keeping the water aside).
• Saute well, without changing the colour.
• Soak the saffron in a tblsp of warm milk.
• Add the water and milk to the rice. Add 3/4 th of the saffron mixture.
• Add the chopped vegetables.
• Add salt and cook this in a medium low flame.
• Once the rice is cooked fluff it with fork and add the remaining saffron milk mixture.
• In a small pan add ghee and roast the raisins and cashew nuts
• Thinly slice the onions and fry them till golden brown and add to the rice.
• Lastly add the chopped fruits and cherries and gently mix everything.

Aromatic, mild and sweet Kashmiri Pulav is ready!!!! Relish this with a spicy gravy or with ice creams as H does....