Bengali Mishti Pulao with Vegetables

I made this Bengali Mishti pulao to go with the Enchor Kofta curry. Typically this pulao is made using Gobindo bhog rice which is an aromatic short grain rice, very popular in Bengali households. I've never seen it in Indian stores here, so I used regular basmati rice. Soma says good quality jasmine rice can also be used instead.

Rice is rinsed, drained and dried for at least 30 minutes before making the dish. It is then sauteed with whole spices until aromatic and then cooked till tender. Care is taken to make sure each rice grain is separate and the dish doesn't end up becoming mushy.
I followed Soma's recipe to the T, except I skipped the caramelized onions on top and added some mixed vegetables instead to give some color and make the dish more filling. All in all this is a simple dish that is sure to make any meal extra special.

Recipe from Soma's Ecurry:

Bengali Mishti Pulao with Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 1cup Basmati rice or Gobindo bhog rice
• 1tbsp ghee
• 1" Cinnamon stick
• 3 Green Cardamom
• 2 Cloves
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1" Ginger, finely grated
• 2tbsp Cashews
• 2tbsp Raisins
• 2tbsp Slivered Almonds
• 1cup Mixed Vegetables (I used frozen veg mix with carrots, green beans, corn and green peas)
• ¼tsp Turmeric
• 1 Green Chili, slit
• Pinch Saffron
• To taste Salt & Pepper
• 2tsp Sugar (adjust as per taste)

Method:

1. Wash the rice until the water runs clear. Drain the water, sprinkle some turmeric on the rice to get a nice yellow hue and spread the rice as a thin layer on kitchen towel or paper towels to dry for about 30 minutes or even more. Rice should feel dry to touch when ready.
2. Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed pan; add lightly crushed cardamom, cloves and cinnamon stick, green chilies and bay leaf. Saute until the spices are aromatic, add cashews, raisina and almonds. Cook till the nuts turn golden.
3. Add the mixed vegetables and cook for 2~3 minutes.
4. Add the rice, salt, sugar and grated ginger. Cook on medium flame for a few minutes until the rice is coated with the ghee and starts to glisten, about 3~4 minutes.
5. Add 11/2cups of boiling water to the rice along with the saffron strands. Cook uncovered till the water on the top of the rice almost disappears. Now lower the heat, cover the pot and simmer for 5~6 more minutes. Turn off the heat and let the rice sit for another 10~15 minutes.
6. Uncover the pot and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve with spicy side dish or just as is.