Shahi pulao recipe

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Shahi pulao is a very special rice preparation usually reserved for weddings or other special occasions. It involves a few more steps than plain basmati rice but when you really want to wow a special guest this is a great way to do it. 

INGREDIENTS
Grind to a paste 1" piece ginger 3 green chilies 2 tbsp. coconut grated 2 sprigs mint leaves ½ cup coriander leaves 4 flakes garlic 1 carrot 1 capsicum 6-7 french beans 1-sprig sping onions greens chopped Layer 2 Grind to a paste 1 tbsp. sesame seeds 1 tsp. soaked khuskhus seeds 1 onion 5-6 blanched green chilies or white pepper 1 cardamom 1 clove 1 bay leaf 1/2" piece cinnamon 1 potato 1 onion Other ingredients 6-7 whole shelled walnuts 15 cashew nuts halved 15 almonds, blanched and halved 1 tbsp. raisins 1 tbsp. cheese or paneer grated 1 tbsp. coriander leaves finely chopped 2 bay leaves 1-cup milk Salt to taste Pepper to taste 3 tbsp. ghee or oil
COOKING DIRECTIONS
Put plenty of water to boil, add salt and bay leaves, bring to boil.Add rice and cook till done but not mushy. Drain water, cool in large plate. Heat half ghee in a heavy pan , add carrots. Fry till tender, drain, add French beans to same fat. Repeat frying till tender, drain, add capsicum. Fry, drain, add paste for layer 1. Fry paste for 3 minutes, add salt, spring onions, stir. Take off fire, add fried vegetables back, and keep aside. Heat remaining ghee in another pan. Fry and drain cashews, almonds, potato slices. Add onions , stir fry till light golden. Add raisins, salt, half the milk, and paste for layer 2. Add fried dry fruit, stir and cook for 3 minutes, Take off fire , keep aside. To proceed Take a deep casserole about 6-8 inches wide. Divide rice into 3 parts. Grease insides of casserole; spread one part of rice at bottom. Spread layer 1 mixture evenly over the rice. Spread second layer of rice over mixture. Mix layer 2 mixtures with the remaining rice. Spread evenly over 2nd rice layer. Sprinkle milk over layers. Sprinkle cheese evenly to cover casserole.Cover the casserole with a lid or clingfilm, making cuts for steam to escape. Bake in preheated oven at 250°C for 9-10 minutes. Garnish with fresh ground pepper, coriander and walnuts before serving. Serve hot with pakodi kadhi or raitha. From Desichef.com