Himachal Meetha Bhaat Sweet Saffron Rice Wedding Celebration

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups basmati rice — washed and soaked 15 minutes
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 tbsp ghee
• 4 green cardamom pods — crushed
• 2 cloves
• 3 cups water
• A generous pinch of saffron soaked in 3 tbsp warm water
• 2 tbsp cashews — fried in 1 tsp ghee
• 2 tbsp raisins
• 1 tsp kewra water — optional, for fragrance

Method

1. Heat 4 tbsp ghee in a heavy pot. Add crushed cardamom and cloves — fry 20 seconds.
2. Add drained basmati rice. Toss in ghee 2 minutes.
3. Add 3 cups water and sugar. Stir to dissolve. Bring to a boil. Stir once.
4. Reduce to the absolute lowest heat. Cover tightly. Cook 18 minutes.
5. Turn off heat. Pour saffron water over rice without stirring.
6. Add kewra water if using. Cover. Rest 5 minutes.
7. Fluff gently. Fold in fried cashews and raisins.
8. The meetha bhaat should be golden from saffron, fragrant from cardamom and kewra, each grain separate.