Matar Baadaam Pulao Rice with      Green Peas and Almonds This Rice Pulao (Pilaf) is a favorite in Northern India. It is gently seasoned, fragrant and savory. For extra sweetness try adding tiny Raisins. 1 cup white Basmati Rice 2 cups Water 1/2 tsp Salt 1/4 tsp ground Turmeric 2 Tbl Ghee OR Vegetable Oil 4 whole green Cardomom Pods a 2" long piece of Cinnamon Stick 6 whole Cloves 1/3 cup raw, slivered Almonds 1/4 cup Black Raisins [OPTIONAL] 1 cup fresh OR frozen Green Peas 1. Basmati Rice must be cleaned and soaked Pick throug the Rice:      -If using imported rice, spread the rice on a large platter.      Remove any twigs or pebbles. There may be a lot of them.      (The California Basmati tends to have less dibris,      but it is not nearly as flavorful as the imported.) Wash the Rice:      -Place the rice in a colander inside a large bowl.      Fill with cold water, swirl around with your fingers,      drain, refill, wash several more times      until the water is no longer cloudy Soak the Rice:      -Place the Rice in a bowl with 2 cups of cold water.      Set aside to soak for about 30 minutes. Dry the Rice:      -Drain the Rice, but this time save the soaking water.      Lay the rice on a large plate to dry for about 30 minutes.      [ All of step 1 can be eliminated if you use      [ plain American long-grain white rice (eg. Carolina brand)      [ For convenience, you give up the flavor of Basmati Rice. 2. Place 1 3/4 cups of the reserved Water      along with the Salt and Turmeric      in a small pot, bring to boil. 3. Meanwhile, heat a 1 quart sauce pan, add Ghee OR Oil.      Add Cardomom Pods, Cinnamon Stick, Cloves & Almonds,      Saute until almonds begin to turn golden 4. Add Rice, saute, gently stirring 2 - 3 minutes      until the Rice changes color slightly,           (it will begin to look like ivory)      [Add OPTIONAL Black Raisins now.]           If using FRESH Green Peas      5. Add the boiling, salted, Turmeric Water.           and fresh Green Peas.           Bring quickly to a boil, stir once.           Lower heat to the most gentle simmer.           Cover, simmer about 15 - 20 minutes.                Do not stir the rice!           If using FROZEN Green Peas      5. Add the boiling, salted, Turmeric Water.           Bring quickly to a boil, stir once.           Lower heat to the most gentle simmer.           Cover, simmer about 10 minutes.           After 10 minutes, add frozen Green Peas.                Just pour the Peas on top.                Do not touch the rice!           Re-cover, simmer about 5 - 10 minutes more.                Do not stir the rice!      [Do NOT touch the Rice while it is cooking.      [After 15 minutes of cooking, remove the cover, tilt the pot.      [Stick a spoon down the inside edge of the pot.      [Check that all of the water has been absorbed.      [If there is still water remaining, re-cover.      [Cook a few more minutes. 6. After all of the water has been absorbed, remove the pot from the heat, leave the cover on. Let the rice rest for 5 - 10 minutes. 7. When done, remove cover, fluff with a fork,      Garnish with chopped fresh Coriander Leaves      Serve.