Bashonti Pulao or Mishti Pulao is a special rice dish from Bengali cuisine made for festive occasions. Bashonti (in Bengali) means yellow, giving the dish its vibrant hue while mishti means sweet reflecting its gentle celebratory flavours. This traditional pulao/pilaf is a beautiful blend of sweet and mildly spiced notes with fragrant aromatic rice studded with nuts and whole spices. Each bite is a comforting, indulgent experience, rich in aroma, flavours and the warmth of...
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Soak the rice in water for 2 hours and drain after 2 hours.
Mix turmeric, salt, and sugar into the rice and stir well.
Grate ginger and squeeze out the juice, keeping the ginger fiber and juice aside.
Add the ginger juice to the rice and mix well, then add the ginger fiber and mix again.
Let the rice sit aside for 30 minutes.
Mix saffron into the milk to achieve a pale yellowish tinge.
Heat a pan and add ghee. If unavailable, use unsalted butter or cooking oil. If using salted butter, add another 1 tbsp of sugar to the rice.
Add the whole spices and fry until golden brown.
Add the rice and fry for 10 minutes on low heat.
Add the milk and fry for another 5 minutes.
Add water, cover the pan with a lid, and let the rice cook for 30 minutes.
Try using a fragrant rice. I have used parboiled rice. Ideally this is made in 'Gobindobhog' a variant available in India.
Ensure the rice is soaked properly to achieve the right texture.
Adjust the quantity of cashew nuts and raisins based on your preference.
Use high-quality saffron for a richer flavor and colour.
Cook the rice on low heat to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
Use salt and sugar based on your personal preference. This is best had sweet and salt. I use pink salt.
Can I use regular butter instead of ghee?
Yes, you can use unsalted butter or cooking oil as a substitute for ghee. If using salted butter, add 1 tbsp to the rice.
What type of rice is best for Bashonti Pulao?
Aromatic rice like basmati or Gobindobhog is ideal for Bashonti Pulao.
Can I skip saffron?
Saffron adds a unique flavor and color to the dish, but you can skip it if unavailable.
How can I make the dish vegan?
Replace ghee with vegetable oil and use plant-based milk instead of dairy milk.
Can I add other nuts or dried fruits?
Yes, you can add almonds, pistachios, or other dried fruits to enhance the flavour. But traditionally we use only cashews and raisins.
Indian girl on Scandinavian soil running her South Asian supper club and showing the world that Indian food is so much more than Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken :) I love coffee, walks in nature and I am an obsessed pet mom. I have a massive sweet tooth. I am also a lifestyle content creator and an aspiring writer. If I wished for a super power then it would be to eat as much as I could without putting on weight :D
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