INSTANT WHITE PULAO

This recipe is very easy to make and tastes delicious. Very few ingredients are used, but nothing minimalist about its flavour.  When had with a spicy gravy, it becomes as a rich delish meal. Anytime, without any prior planning and preparation, anyone can make it. So, I called it "Instant Pulao".

INGREDIENTS:
1 Cup long grain Basmati Rice
1 Medium sized Onion (sliced thin)
1 Bay Leaf
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
3 Green Cardamoms (whole)
2" Cinnamon Stick (broken roughly)
2 cloves (whole)
5-6 whole Black Peppercorns
1 tsp Ginger paste
2 tbsps whole Cashew nuts
1 tbsp Raisins
2 Cups of Hot Water
2 tbsps Clarified Butter (Ghee)
1/2 tsp Salt

METHOD:
Wash and soak rice for half an hour. Drain water from it and let it smear with ginger paste. Set aside.

Heat clarified butter in a pan. Add cumin seeds. After a couple of seconds, add bay leaf, cardamoms, cinnamons, cloves, black peppercorns and cashew nuts. Stir for a few seconds. Then add sliced onions, fry till it turns golden brown.

Now add rice and raisins in it. Saute for another two minutes. After that add 2 cups of hot water and salt in it. Uncover, till it starts boiling.

Now stir well and cover the lid. Lower heat to medium low for perfectly 15 minutes. Please dont keep opening the lid from time to time. After 15  minutes, switched off gas burner and keeps as it is for another a minute.

Fluff with a fork and serve hot with any spicy curry dish or raita.

TIPS: You may add chicken or vegetable stock, instead of water. It increases flavor.
          Adding little milk with water, makes it rich.

Linking to: Nithubala's healthy-food-for-healthy-kids-event @ Latha's A Peek into My Kitchen