Kashmiri Chicken Cardamom And Saffron Pilau Spiced Indian Rice Food

YAKNI PILAU (CHICKEN RICE)

Steps:

• Make a well-flavoured stock by simmering chicken in water to cover along with cardamom pods, peppercorns, 2 teaspoons salt and the onion stuck with cloves.
• Simmer for approximately 2 hours.
• Cool slightly, strain stock and measure out 4 cups.
• Remove meat from bones, cut into bite-size pieces and set aside.
• Wash rice thoroughly in water, drain in a colander and allow to dry for at least 1 hour (this is optional if you're in a hurry!).
• Heat ghee in a large pot and fry sliced onion until golden.
• Add saffron, garlic and ginger and fry for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Add rice and fry 5 minutes longer over a moderate heat, stirring with a slotted metal spoon.
• Add hot stock, garam masala, cardamom, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, rose water, sultanas and reserved chicken pieces.
• Stir well.
• Cover pan tightly and cook over a very low heat for 20 minutes.
• Do not uncover pot or stir rice during cooking time.
• When rice is cooked, remove from heat and stand, uncovered for 5 minutes.
• Fluff up rice gently with a fork and place in dish, again using a slotted metal spoon.
• Garnish with almonds, peas and eggs.

GOLDEN SAFFRON AND CARDAMOM SPICED CHICKEN & RICE PILAU

Steps:

• Marinate the chicken in the yogurt, lemon, cinnamon, small pinch of garam masala, and grated ginger for about 1 hour. Soak the saffron threads in the chicken stock.
• Shake the excess marinade off the chicken. In a large Dutch oven or Le Creuset over medium-high heat, fry the meat with a spoonful or so of oil (do this in batches so that the chicken becomes nicely golden in color). Remove chicken and browned bits to a plate, cover with aluminum foil to keep warm and set aside.
• In the same pan, melt the butter with 1 tablespoon of the oil and add the rice, stirring to coat until glossy. Pour in the saffron and chicken stock, add the sultanas, cardamom pods, rose water, lemon juice and zest and bring the pan to the boil, then clamp on the lid and turn the heat down to very low. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, by which time the rice should have absorbed the liquid and be cooked through.
• Add the chicken and the browned bits to the rice, stirring gently to combine.
• Toast the almonds by shaking them in a dry frying pan over a medium heat until they color and begin to give off their fragrance, then add to the pilaf along with the chopped parsley. Pile everything onto a plate and add a fabulously green sprinkling of slivered or roughly chopped pistachios.

SAFFRON RICE

Steps:

• Place the saffron in a small bowl and cover with 3 tablespoons of boiling water.
• Soak for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter over moderate heat in a large 3 or 4 quart stockpot.
• Add the cinnamon and cloves and stir well.
• Add the onions, garlic and saute for about 2 minutes.
• Add the rice and stir for about 5 minutes.
• Pour in the 4 cups of boiling water or broth, salt, and the cardamom.
• Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Add the saffron and its soaking water.
• Stir gently.
• Cover, reduce heat, and cook for 25 minutes.
• Fluff, remove cloves and cinnamon sticks and serve hot.

INDIAN RICE

Steps:

• Cook onions and almonds in butter until golden. Add raisins and heat through until they puff. Add mixture to rice; mix lightly. Serve with curry.