Saffron Ghee Rice - Cellu

Recipe by Cellu



Ingredients:
2 cups basmati rice
5 tbsp ghee
10-15 saffron (kesar) strands
5 tbsp milk
1" stick cinnamon 
5 cloves
5-7 cardamom pods
2-3 bay leaves
1 tbsp cardamom powder
3 tbsp sugar
½ cup slivered almonds
2 tbsp cashew nuts
1 cup raisins
3 cups hot water

Steps:
  1. In a small bowl, add hot milk and saffron strands to it to soak and allow it to bloom and release the saffron color.
  2. Wash and soak the rice for 20-30 minutes. Drain and reserve.

  3. In a deep pan on medium heat, melt the ghee.
  4. Add cashew nuts, raisins and almonds and fry it quickly, remove and keep aside.
  5. To the rest of the ghee, on very low flame, add cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom pods and sauté for few minutes, till the aroma comes out.
  6. Add rice and gently mix and sauté it for 5 minutes.
  7. Add the saffron milk mixture, cardamom powder, sugar and hot water. Cover and up the flame for the first 5 minutes and let it cook for 15-20 minutes or so till the rice cooks.
  8. Garnish with fried almonds and raisins, and serve warm.
  9. ENJOY!