To make Basanti Pulao, a Bengali sweet yellow rice dish, you'll need the following ingredients and steps:
Ingredients:
Basmati rice
Ghee (clarified butter)
Sugar
Water
Cashews and raisins
Bay leaves
Whole spices (cinnamon, cardamom, cloves)
Saffron strands soaked in warm milk
Fried onions (optional)
Sliced mango (optional)
Steps:
- Rinse the basmati rice and soak it in water for about 30 minutes. Drain the water.
- In a pot, heat ghee and add bay leaves and whole spices.
- Add cashews and raisins to the pot and sauté until the cashews turn golden and the raisins plump.
- Add the soaked and drained rice to the pot. Sauté for a few minutes until the rice is lightly toasted.
- In a separate pan, dissolve sugar in water to make a sugar syrup. Add this sugar syrup to the rice.
- Pour saffron-infused milk into the pot for a vibrant yellow color and a unique flavor.
- Add water (the usual rice-to-water ratio for cooking rice) and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the rice is cooked.
- Optionally, garnish with fried onions and slices of ripe mango for added sweetness.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, ensuring it's evenly mixed.
Serve Basanti Pulao warm as a delightful sweet accompaniment to your meal.