Shahi Pulao

Ingredients

• 3 cups basmati rice, wash & soaked for 30 minutes.

Layer 1

Grind to a paste

• 1" piece ginger
• 3 green chilies
• 2 tbsp. coconut grated
• 2 sprigs mint leaves
• 1/2cup 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 khus khus 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

Recipe

• 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

1. Take a deep casserole about 6-8 inches wide.
2. Divide rice into 3 parts.
3. Grease insides of casserole; spread one part of rice at bottom.
4. Spread layer 1 mixture evenly over the rice.
5. Spread second layer of rice over mixture.
6. Mix layer 2 mixtures with the remaining rice.
7. Spread evenly over 2nd rice layer.
8. Sprinkle milk over layers.
9. Sprinkle cheese evenly to cover casserole.
10. Cover the casserole with a lid or clingfilm, making cuts for steam to escape.
11. Bake in preheated oven at 250°C for 9-10 minutes.
12. Garnish with fresh ground pepper, coriander and walnuts before serving.
13. Serve hot with pakodi kadhi or raitha