Mastering The Art Of Kashmiri Pulao: A Step-By-Step Guide

Love rice but want to try something different than the regular fried rice and biryani for your next party? With its subtle and rich flavours, a Kashmiri pulao is just the dish that you need. Made with basmati rice, nuts, and sometimes even fresh fruits, Kashmiri pulao is aromatic and goes well with a variety of dishes. It also comes together quite quickly and is sure to be a show-stealer. 

All about Kashmiri pulao

Made with long grain and aromatic rice like basmati, these are combined with sauteed vegetables, herbs and sometimes meat, pulao is a delicious yet nutritious dish. Made in different ways across the country, a pulao recipe changes depending on the local ingredients. This is also the case with Kashmiri pulao, which is one of the most famous dishes in Kashmiri cuisine. It is made with fragrant basmati rice, spices, dry fruits and some fruits. It is different from other varieties of pulao owing to its savoury and nutty flavour, making it a must-try dish from Kashmiri cuisine.

What makes Kashmiri pulao different?

What makes the Kashmiri pulao stand out from other pulao recipes is the abundant use of nuts that grow in the region. The addition of saffron too, makes this Kashmiri rice dish special. As it is on the sweeter side, it also makes use of fresh fruits from the orchards in the region. From pineapples and pomegranates to cashews and pistachios, the ingredients that go in a Kashmiri pulao can vary in each family. 

Some also suggest the use of coconut milk instead of regular milk, and in case you want to attempt a vegan version of the Kashmiri pulao, it is a quick and effective change. 

Kashmiri pulao ingredients list

1. 2 to 3 tbsp desi ghee (clarified butter) you can either use homemade ghee or packed 
2. 10 cashews (halved)
3. 3 tbsp raisins (dried grapes)
4. 15 pistachios 
5. 1 tsp  cumin seeds
6. 1 medium-sized bay leaf 
7. 3 pods cardamom 
8. 1-inch cinnamon stick (if you don't like its flavour, you can skip it)
9. ½ tsp  black pepper powder 
10. 5 cloves 
11. ½ tsp fennel seeds 
12. 1 onion (finely chopped into medium-sized pieces)
13. 1 green chilli (slit vertically)
14. Salt to taste
15. 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
16. ½ tsp Kashmiri red chili powder 
17. 1 cup basmati rice (or any other variety of long fragmented rice)
18. 1½ cups water
19. Few threads of saffron 
20. 3 to 4 tablespoons of milk

Kashmiri pulao recipe

Let's learn how to prepare Kashmiri pulao with this simple and easy recipe

1. Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly and soak it for 30 minutes.
2.  Take a pan, add 3 to 4 tablespoons of milk and heat it for only 4 to 5 seconds. Pour this lukewarm milk into a small bowl and add a few threads of saffron into it.  Your saffron milk for Kashmiri pulao is ready, keep it aside for now.
3. Again take a pan, and pour 1 tablespoon of ghee, and as soon as it melts, add the cashews, raisins and pistachios and saute them to low heat until they turn aromatic. Transfer these into a bowl and set it aside.
4. Now, take a pressure cooker, add 2 tablespoons of ghee as it gets warm, and add all the spices like cinnamon, bay leaf, cumin seeds, cardamom, black pepper and fennel seeds too. Saute these for 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Add onions, green chilli and ginger garlic paste and stir them for the next 3 to 4 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Add Kashmiri red chilli powder and salt.
6. Now, transfer the soaked rice into the cooker, and add 1 and a half cups of water and saffron milk( prepared before). Stir all well, and pressure cook at medium flame for 2 whistles.
7. Once the rice is cooked thoroughly,  add the cashews, raisins and pistachios, cover the lid again and let this rest for the next 10 minutes before serving.
8. Garnish the Kashmiri pulao with some more fried cashews and raisins for an appealing appearance.

Your healthy and tasty Kashmiri pulao is ready to be relished. Give a treat to your taste buds with the perfect harmony of textures, from the crunch of nuts to the softness of fragrant rice. You can pair this Kashmiri pulao with any spicy side dish like korma and let these contrasting combinations tantalize your taste buds. Or you can also enjoy this with onion raita, for a complementary combination.

Disclaimer: The details mentioned throughout this blog are sourced from publicly accessible platforms. At Zeezest, we intend to share factual and verified information. Should there be any inconsistencies or variances in the information provided, please understand that these are entirely unintentional and not meant to mislead.