Kesari Bhaat ( Sweet Saffron Rice)

"Nava-ratri" literally means "nine nights." This festival is observed twice a year. This is a festival dedicated to the worship of a Hindu deity Shakti. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. The 10th day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or "Dussehra.This festival is celebrated with great zeal in India. Bengali "Durga Puja" is best of its kind and center of attraction worldwide. During this period people observe fasting for seven to eight days. Today's recipe is dedicated to this festival and all the people who are fasting. Its made of rice, saffron, loads of dry fruits and sugar syrup.


Ingredient:

Basmati rice:                  1/2 cups soaked
Saffron:                          few threads (soaked in warm water)
Dry Fruits:                      1 cup (Finely chopped- walnut, almond, pistachio, cashew and raisin)
Sugar:                            1/2 cup
Clarified butter:              1 tablespoon
Cumin seed:                   1/2 teaspoon
Green Cardamom powder
Desiccated coconut to garnish

Method:
1) Dissolve saffron in two tablespoon of warm water and set aside.
2) Heat some clarified butter (desi ghee) in a pan and add cumin seed, add rice and sauté for two to three minutes.
3) Add one and a half cups of boiling water and let the rice cook.
4) When rice is 90 percent done strain it and set aside.
5) In a separate pan add sugar and saffron water over the heat until the sugar is dissolved.
7) Add cooked rice and continue to cook till all the water has been absorbed and the rice is fully cooked approximately 5 minutes. Add the cardamom powder and all the dry nuts. Mix gently. And cover it for 5 minutes
8)  Garnish it with desiccated coconut and serve hot.

BON APPETIT..