Saffron infused Fruit n Nut Pilaf and my second win at CSN

WISHING ALL MY DEAR FRIENDS AND FELLOW BLOGGERS A VERY HAPPY EID AND GANESH CHATURTHI


 I'm really happy to share this news with you that I won the $60 CSN giveaway hosted by Pari !! Thank you so much Pari for all your time and efforts in hosting this event.She writes a wonderful blog at http://www.cooking-goodfood.blogspot.com/ .

Fruit n Nut Pilaf

This is a festive pilaf made with ghee ,nuts, dry fruits and saffron .I normally make it on festive occasions and love how the aromas of spices , nuts,fruits and basmati rice  tempered in ghee fill up the whole house.It actually smells like 'Havan' (the Hindu holy ritual pooja fire)

Ingredients :

2 cups Basmati rice rinsed
2 tbsp pure ghee(clarified butter)
1 cup mixed vegetables(green beans,carrots,peas n corn)
6-8 cashews
4-5 blanched almonds
12-15 raisins
1/4 cup milk
2 pinches saffron strands
3-4 dried apricots chopped                  
1 tsp Biryani /pulav masala (I like Everest brand )
31/2 cups water
Salt as per taste


Whole Spices:
3-4 peppercorns
2 Green cardamons crushe slightly but whole
1/2 inch cinnamon stick
3-4 cloves
1 star anise
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 Bay leaves

Directions :

Heat the ghee in a deep pan.Add all the spices listed under  whole spices to the hot ghee and let crackle and sizzle for 10-15 secs.

Add the mixed vegetables and the Biryani/Pulav masala and stir fry for 5 mins  on a medium flame .Rinse the basmati rice in a sieve to remove excess starch. Add the  basmati riceand salt  to the veggies and stir fry another 5 mins stirring gently.Soak the saffron and the raisins in the milk and microwave for 40 seconds to release the saffron flavors and color and to plump up the raisins.Add the  saffron infused milk and 3 1/2  cups water to the pilaf and  stir it  .Bring to a boil and let most of the water evaporate .When you see rice on top and bubbles forming on the surface,put off the heat and cover the pan with a lid and let it steam cook for around 7 mins without opening the lid.Pan fry the cashews and almonds seperately in a little ghee to a golden brown and keep aside.Add the chopped apricots ,cashews and almonds .Serve with  Paneer Makhani

This recipe goes to Akheela's Festive Rice event