Kashmiri Pulao

This kashmiri pulao is aromatic, slightly sweet, mild yet flavorful. The sweetness comes from the fresh fruits and dried fruits. The flavor and taste is completely different from the usual pulao dish. If you do not like the sweet taste then skip the addition of fruits. Just cook the rice as mentioned and top with nuts and fried onions. This is the perfect pulao dish for parties or large get together. Prepare the cooked rice, fried nuts, onions and chopped fruits ahead of time and keep them separate. At the time of serving, lightly mix or garnish the rice with nuts and fruits. The color of the fruits will pop from the yellow colored saffron rice. It looks beautiful and attractive on the table. This kashmiri pulao could be the hit at kids party. Just because this is not spicy at all and kids will love the sweet taste of it. Check out other pulao recipesPeas pulao // Capsicum pulao // Paneer pulao // Sweet corn pulao

Step By Step Photo Instructions:

1. Wash the rice under running cold water till water runs clear. Or rinse two to three times or till the water is not cloudy any more. Then soak in enough water for 15-20 minutes.
2. After soaking time, drain and keep the rice in colander. Keep it aside.
3. Meantime, warm up the milk in microwave for few seconds. Then add saffron in it and rub with your finger and thumb so it releases its flavor and color. Keep it aside.
4. Heat the ghee in a saucepan on medium heat. Once hot add whole spices (cloves, green cardamoms, black cardamom and cinnamon stick. Saute for 30-40 seconds and you will get nice aroma of spices.
5. Then add shahi jeera and fennel seeds.
6. Saute for 30-40 seconds.
7. Then add soaked rice and mix. Saute for 2 minutes.
8. Then add salt, dry ginger powder, cardamom seeds powder and black pepper powder.
9. Mix well.
10. Then add water.
11. Also add saffron milk.
12. Let it come to a rolling boil.
13. Then cover with lid and LOWER the heat to lowest. And cook for 17 minutes only. Then turn off the stove and let it sit covered for 5 minutes.
14. While rice is cooking, let’s fry the dry fruits and make fried onions. Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in pan on medium heat. Once hot add cashews and almonds.
15. Fry with stirring constantly till they get light brown in color. Remove it to a plate.
16. In the remaining ghee fry the walnuts and remove it to the same plate.
17. Then add raisins,
18. Within few seconds it will plump up. Remove it immediately otherwise they will get chewy.
19. Lastly fry the chopped figs.
20. Drain the excess ghee and remove it to a plate and keep it aside.
21. In the remaining ghee, add sliced onions and fry.
22. Keep stirring occasionally and let it caramelize.
23. Fry till they are dark golden brown and crispy. Once done remove it to a plate.
24. Now the rice is cooked and rested for 5 minutes. Open the lid
25. and fluff up the rice using fork.
26. Spread the rice on the serving plate. Top with fried dry fruits and nuts.
27. Then sprinkle fried onions.
28. And lastly garnish with fruits and serve. I have used grapes, apple and pomegranate. Serving suggestion: Serve Kashmiri pulao with cucumber raita, pomegranate raita, mango mint raita. It can be served with kashmiri dum aloo too. Did you try this Kashmiri pulao recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a review in the comment section below.