Perfect rice to dress a dinner table jewelled with almond, cashews, raisins, apricots and lightly flavored with spices of cinnamon and cardamom.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati rice.
- 2 tablespoon butter.
- 2 tablespoon Oil.
- 1/2 cup Almonds.
- 1/2 cup Cashew nuts.
- 1/2 cup Raisins.
- 1/2 cup Dried Apricot.
- 1 teaspoon minced Garlic.
- 1/2 teaspoon grated Ginger.
- 1 cup finely chopped Onion.
- 3 1/2 cups vegetable stock of your choice.
- 1/4 cup chopped Cilantro.
- 2 sprigs Mint chopped.
- 2-inch Cinnamon.
- 3 pods Cardamoms.
- 2 Bay leaves.
- 1 Star anise.
Method:
- Clean, rinse and soak Basmati rice in water for 30 mins. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat oil and butter. Saute the whole spices for a minute.
- Add the nuts and fruits – saute for two minutes on low until lightly toasted.
- Add in the onions and saute until the onions are translucent. Followed by garlic and ginger.
- Add the rice and saute for about 2 to 3 minutes until the rice is lightly toasted.
- Add the stock and bring it to a boil.
- Cover the pan and reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cook on low for 20 minutes. After 20 mins, turn the heat off and keep covered for 10 minutes more.
- Add the chopped cilantro and mint. Fluff the rice with a fork.
- Serve hot.