Kashmiri Pilaff 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.

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.