Sweet Pulav ( Rice with Rasins & Cashewnuts)

My grandmother used to make sweet pulav on special occassions like Christmas,
Easter,Birthdays or when we had people over for a meal.We called it ghee rice at home and I have such fond memories of this rice dish.I associate ghee rice with my grandmother and her fantastic cooking.She would make this rice dish and her meatball curry and the combination of the two would always leave us wanting for more!

Ingredients :

• 2 cups of Basamati Rice ( wash,soak in water for 10-15 minutes)
• 1/4 cup of Raw Cashew-nuts
• 1/4 cup of Small Raisins 
• 2 inch piece of Cinnamon (broken into two pieces)
• 4 Cloves
• 6 Cardamom Pods
• 4-5 Flakes of garlic (peeled and slit)
• 3 Medium sized Onions (Finely Sliced)
• Salt to taste
• 1 & 1/2 Teaspoons of Sugar ( adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons of Ghee ( clarified butter)
• 2 tablespoons of Oil
• 4 cups of hot water

Method :

1. Strain the rice and discard the water that the rice was soaking in.
2. In a heavy based pot,add the oil and ghee,when hot add the whole spices (cinnamon,cloves and cardamom).Give it a quick stir.
3. Add the sliced onions and garlic flakes,saute till the onions are translucent.
4. Add the cashew-nuts and raisins and saute till the raisins swell up.( saute on medium low heat)
5. Add the rice,salt,sugar and give this a quick stir and fry the rice for a quick minute.
6. In another pot bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
7. Add the boiled water to the rice and stir.(taste the water,it should taste a little sweet and a little salty,add more sugar if you like it sweeter.)
8. Cover and cook on low heat till the water has evaporated and the rice is cooked. (this will take about 15 to 20 mins)
9. Enjoy this with a side of meatball curry,pepper chicken,mutton curry or your favorite curry!