Kashmiri Pilaf Recipes

KASHMIRI PILAF

Steps:

• Rinse the rice in a strainer until the water runs clear. Put rice in a bowl and cover with fresh water. Add saffron to hot milk and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large non-stick saucepan until it shimmers. Add cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods and bay leaf. Cook until it begins to be fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add onions and saute until they soften and turn golden, 4-6 minutes. Add almonds and raisins and cook another 2 minutes.
• Drain rice and add to pan. Stir 1-2 minutes until it begins to appear opaque. Add saffron and milk, water, figs and salt. Bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes. Turn down to a simmer, cover and cook 7-8 minutes. Taste; if rice is not quite cooked through, recover and cook an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Season with black pepper. Add walnuts/pistachios and fluff rice with a fork as you stir them inches Let stand 4 minutes to absorb any remaining liquid; serve hot.

BASMATI RICE PILAF WITH APRICOTS

Steps:

• Put the apricots and lemon zest in the 2 cups of cold water. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the garam masala, and toast, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the onion and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender and translucent, about 6 minutes.
• Stir in the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in the water along with the apricots, lemon zest, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, wrap a clean dish towel around the saucepan lid, and cover saucepan. Cook for 10 minutes, set aside for 5 minutes undisturbed, then remove lid and fluff with a fork. Mound the pilaf on a serving platter or in a shallow bowl, tear the mint over, and top with the nuts.
• Game Plan: Toast the nuts while the rice cooks.

KASHMIRI PILAFF

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a nonstick pan over a low heat. Add the cumin seeds, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and bay leaf, and fry for 20 to 30 seconds, or until the spices are fragrant. Add the onion, and fry for 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden brown. Add the almonds and raisins, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the rice, and stir well to coat it in the spiced oil.
• Add the water, saffron water, and half of the chopped figs, and season, with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, and continue to boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, and cover the pan with a lid. Cook the mixture for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the rice is tender, but still has a slight bite. Add the remaining figs and the chopped nuts, and stir well, fluffing the rice with a fork as you stir. Set the pan aside for 4 to 5 minutes to allow any excess water to evaporate, and then serve.

KASHMIRI CHICKEN, CARDAMOM AND SAFFRON PILAU: SPICED INDIAN RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the basmati rice several times in cold water and drain in a colander - leave to dry.
• Heat half of the oil (1 tablespoon) in a large pan and add half of the onion (1 onion), the garlic, ginger and cumin seeds. Fry them over a gentle heat for about 5 minutes.
• Add the chicken pieces and brown them - turning them regularly to achieve a good colour all over.
• Add the saffron, boiling water, cardamom pods, mint, garam masala and cinnamon stick. Bring it all to the boil and then cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is tender.
• Transfer all the contents to a bowl and rinse out the pan.
• Add the remaining oil and onion to the pan and fry until the onion is lightly coloured. Add the rice and stir it well, cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until the rice is opaque.
• Add the chicken mixture, tomatoes and sultanas - then season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir gently, then shake the pan to level the ingredients.
• Add sufficient boiling water to come about 3/4" above the rice mixture. Cover with a tight fitting lid and cook gently over a low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid has all been absorbed.
• Discard the cinnamon stick and transfer to a warm serving dish, sprinkle with the toasted almonds and serve immediately.

KASHMIRI PILAF(RED ROSE PILAF!)

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix together the milk, cream, sugar and salt.
• Heat ghee in a pan.
• Add cumin seeds, cinnamon, bay leaf, cardamoms and cloves.
• Allow to splutter.
• Add rice and fry in ghee for 2 minutes.
• Add the milk-cream mixture.
• Add 1/2 a cup of water.
• Bring to a boil, partially cover and simmer till rice is cooked.
• Mix in the drained fruit very gently.
• Garnish by sprinkling finely broken rose petals.
• Pick up a spoon and indulge!