Raisin And Nutty Pulao

Ingredients :

Rice - 2 cups

Onions - 2

Raisins - 100 gms

Almonds - 50 gms

Seedless Dates - 100 gms

Butter - 100 gms

Salt - A pinch

Method:

1. Wash the rice and soak in water for 20 minutes. Add 3 1/2 cups of fresh water and cook till one third keep cool.
2. Soak raisins in warm water.
3. Blanch almonds halved and fry in butter till colour.
4. Chop dates finely, slice onion into fine pieces.
5. Heat butter in a pan add onions and fry till just turning golden colour.
6. Add soaked raisins and chopped dates, stir fry gently over medium flame for 2-3 minutes.
7. Add 3/4 cup of water and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes or till dates are tender and water is absorbed.
8. Melt 1 1/2 tbsp of butter in large heavy saucepan. Add half the rice and spread almonds - dates mixture over it.
9. Cover with remaining rice and dot the top with pieces of butter, cover with a clean cloth and cover it with a tight - filling lid.
10. Steam over very low heat for 20-25 minutes over pulao and stir gently and serve hot.