Almond rice - a healthy vegetarian side dish

As you know I always search for a healthy recipe and almonds caught my eye this time. Almonds contain lots of healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium and vitamin E. The health benefits of almonds include lower blood sugar levels, reduced blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels. They can also reduce hunger and promote weight loss. The preparation of almond rice can be done two ways – one is with chicken and the other is pure vegetarian way. The recipe presented here is of the veg type. This is easy to make but takes a little more time. Hope you have some time in year-end holidays to make this tasty dish.

Preparation Time: - 15 min

Cooking Time: - 35~40 min

Servings: - 5 persons

Ingredients:-

1. 2 cup Basmati Rice
2. Handful of Almonds (see picture)
   
3. Few Raisins (see picture)
4. Few strings of saffron
5. ½ cup milk
6. 2 Bay Leaves
7. 1 tsp Shah Jeera
8. 2 nos. Anis
9. 1 inch long cinnamon stick
10. 4~6 cloves
11. 2~3 crushed cardamom or 1 tsp Cardamom powder (I used powder)
12. Salt and sugar to taste.
13. 7 tbsp vegetable oil ( I used sunflower oil)
14. 1 tsp Rose water (optional)
15. 1 tbsp Ghee

Preparation:-

1. Wash the rice thoroughly and keep it soaking in little water for 30 min.
   
2. Soak the almonds for 4~5 hours and flake them.
3. Add the strings of saffron to the milk and keep aside for some time.
   
4. Heat 7 tbsp vegetable oil in kadai or non-stick pan in high heat.
5. Turn the burner to medium and add bay leaves, anis, cinnamon, cloves, shah jeera to it.
   
6. When the spices splutter add cardamom powder or crushed cardamom.
7. Add the soaked rice immediately.
   
8. Stir and mix thoroughly for a couple of minutes.
9. Add milk with saffron to it.
   
10. Add salt and sugar. Then pour the flaked almonds.
    
11. Stir and mix well.
12. Add ½ cup of warm water and mix.
13. Put the lid and continue cooking for 15 minutes.
14. Check whether the rice is fully done. If not, adjust water and simmer for some more time.
15. Add ghee and sprinkle of rose water. Stir and mix for 1 minutes.
16. Turn the burner off and garnish with few more almonds.
17. Put the lid again and keep it on stove for few minutes.
    

Serve with your favorite veg / non-veg side dish.

As always please feel free to comment, criticize and seek help if required. I am all ears.