A fragrant and festive rice dish with dried fruits and warm spices.
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee
- 1 red onion, finely sliced
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely sliced
- 1 teaspoon finely sliced fresh ginger
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cardamom pods
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit and nuts (raisins, chopped dates, dry coconut chopped and cashew nuts)
- 1 ½ cups water
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh coriander, to garnish (optional)
Method
- Rinse the basmati rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Soak for about 5-10 minutes for best result
- Heat the oil or ghee in a large saucepan over medium heat. Fry cinnamon stick, cardamom, cloves and bay leaf for 3-4 seconds to release the aroma. Add the sliced onion and sauté until golden brown.
- When the onion is cooking, heat a small nonstick pan, add about 1 tbsp vegetable oil, and fry all the mixed nuts and leave it aside. Add carrot and ginger with onion
- Mix in the drained rice and sauté gently for couple a minute, ensuring the grains are well coated with oil and spices. Add fried mixed fruits and nuts
- Pour in the water and season with salt. Bring to the boil for 5 minutes or so then reduce the flame to medium low, cover and cook for another 10 minutes or so or until all the water is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let the rice stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander if desired. Serve warm as a side dish or a light meal.
