Spiced Rice Recipe (Parsi Pilau)

Spiced Rice Recipe (Parsi Pilau)
Ingredients :
2 1/2 cup 1/2 teaspoon 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons 4 1 4 10 4 cups 2 1/2 teaspoons 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons	Long grain rice Saffron strands Boiling water Ghee Cardamom pods, bruised Small cinnamon stick Whole cloves Black peppercorns Hot water Salt Sultanas Blanched sliced almonds Blanched halved pistachios Rind of 1 orange, finely grated
Method : If rice needs washing, do so and leave to drain and dry thoroughly. Soak saffron in boiling water for 10 minutes. Heat ghee in heavy saucepan and gently fry cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and peppercorns for 2 minutes. Add rice and continue stirring and frying for 2-3 minutes. Add hot water, salt, orange rand, soaked saffron strands and liquid. Stir well and bring quickly to the boil Then turn heat very low, cover tightly and cook for 20 minutes. At the end of this time, scatter sultanas over surface of rice, replace lid and continue cooking for another 5 minutes. Serve garnished with almonds and pistachios. This is very good if served with dhansak, a famous Parsi dish of meat or chicken cooked with lentils and vegetables.