{
  "$schema": "https://recipes.dhanjas.com/schema/recipe.schema.json",
  "format": 3,
  "slug": "kashmiri-pulao",
  "category": "rice",
  "title": "Kashmiri Pulao",
  "subtitle": "Saffron pilaf · Instant Pot · 3 adult servings + toddler",
  "badges": [
    "Jain Vegetarian",
    "Toddler-adapted"
  ],
  "labels": [
    "Pilaf"
  ],
  "meta": [
    "Soak: 30 min",
    "Cook: ~30 min (Instant Pot)",
    "1½ cups rice · 3 adult servings + toddler"
  ],
  "protein": "~9g protein per adult serving — pair with raita, dal or a paneer sabji",
  "nightPrep": null,
  "ingredientGroups": [
    {
      "label": "Rice & liquid",
      "items": [
        {"id": "rice", "name": "Basmati rice, aged", "short": "rice", "amount": "1½ cups"},
        {"id": "water", "name": "Water", "short": "water", "amount": "1¾ cups"},
        {"id": "milk", "name": "Milk, warm", "short": "milk", "amount": "4½ tbsp"},
        {"id": "saffron", "name": "Saffron strands", "short": "saffron", "amount": "3 pinches"},
        {"id": "salt", "name": "Salt", "short": "salt", "amount": "½ tsp"},
        {"id": "sugar", "name": "Sugar (optional)", "short": "sugar", "amount": "1½ tbsp"}
      ]
    },
    {
      "label": "Whole spices",
      "items": [
        {"id": "bay", "name": "Bay leaf", "short": "bay leaf", "amount": "1"},
        {"id": "green-cardamom", "name": "Green cardamom", "short": "green cardamom", "amount": "4"},
        {"id": "cloves", "name": "Cloves", "short": "cloves", "amount": "6"},
        {"id": "cinnamon", "name": "Cinnamon stick", "short": "cinnamon", "amount": "1 inch"},
        {"id": "black-cardamom", "name": "Black cardamom", "short": "black cardamom", "amount": "1"},
        {"id": "caraway", "name": "Caraway seeds (shahi jeera)", "short": "caraway", "amount": "¾ tsp"}
      ]
    },
    {
      "label": "Ghee & ground spices",
      "items": [
        {"id": "ghee", "name": "Ghee", "short": "ghee", "amount": "3½ tbsp", "portions": {"nuts": "1½ tbsp", "spices": "1 tbsp", "rice": "1 tbsp"}},
        {"id": "fennel", "name": "Fennel seeds, crushed", "short": "fennel seeds", "amount": "¾ tsp"},
        {"id": "ginger", "name": "Dry ginger powder", "short": "dry ginger powder", "amount": "¾ tsp"},
        {"id": "hing", "name": "Hing", "short": "hing", "amount": "⅛ tsp"}
      ]
    },
    {
      "label": "Nuts & fruit",
      "items": [
        {"id": "cashews", "name": "Cashews, split", "short": "cashews", "amount": "12–15", "portions": {"toddler": "2", "garnish": "rest"}},
        {"id": "raisins", "name": "Raisins", "short": "raisins", "amount": "1½ tbsp", "portions": {"toddler": "1 tsp", "garnish": "rest"}},
        {"id": "pomegranate", "name": "Pomegranate arils", "short": "pomegranate arils", "amount": "⅓ cup"},
        {"id": "fruit", "name": "Apple + pineapple, diced", "short": "apple and pineapple", "amount": "¾ cup", "portions": {"toddler": "2 tbsp", "garnish": "rest"}},
        {"id": "carrot", "name": "Boiled carrot or potato (toddler)", "short": "finely diced boiled carrot or potato", "amount": "1–2 tbsp", "portions": {"toddler": "1–2 tbsp"}}
      ]
    }
  ],
  "method": [
    {
      "type": "step",
      "title": "Prep & soak",
      "items": [
        "Rinse {@rice} in several changes of water until mostly clear",
        "Soak in fresh water for 30 min, then drain completely",
        "Warm {@milk} for 20–30 sec; stir in {@saffron} and set aside",
        "Coarsely crush {@fennel}",
        "Dice the {@fruit}; refrigerate until serving"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "step",
      "title": "Fry nuts, then spices",
      "items": [
        "Set Instant Pot to Sauté; heat {@ghee:nuts}",
        "Fry {@cashews} until light golden, about 1 min",
        "Add {@raisins}; fry 15–20 sec until plump",
        "Remove both to a plate and set aside for garnish",
        "Add {@ghee:spices}, then {@bay}, {@green-cardamom}, {@cloves}, {@cinnamon}, {@black-cardamom} and {@caraway}",
        "Stir 20–30 sec until fragrant; don't let them darken",
        "Add the crushed {@fennel}, {@ginger} and {@hing}; stir 10 sec"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "step",
      "title": "Roast rice & pressure cook",
      "items": [
        "Add the drained {@rice}, {@salt}, {@sugar} and {@ghee:rice}",
        "Fry gently 2–3 min until grains look dry and smell nutty",
        "Pour in the saffron milk and {@water}; scrape the bottom clean",
        "Taste the water — it should be lightly salty",
        "Lock the lid, seal the valve, Pressure Cook on High {=5 min}",
        "Natural release {=5–6 min}, then vent",
        "Open and fluff gently with a fork"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "toddler",
      "label": "Toddler — scoop after fluffing, before garnish",
      "items": [
        "Scoop about {½ cup} pulao into a small bowl before any garnish goes on",
        "Pick out every whole spice: bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon",
        "Optional: stir in {@carrot:toddler}",
        "Top with {@cashews:toddler} crushed to coarse crumbs and chopped {@raisins:toddler}",
        "Add finely diced {@fruit:toddler}",
        "Let it cool to warm before serving"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "step",
      "title": "Garnish & serve",
      "items": [
        "Transfer the adult pulao to a serving bowl",
        "Top with the set-aside {@cashews:garnish} and {@raisins:garnish}",
        "Scatter {@pomegranate} and {@fruit:garnish|diced apple and pineapple}",
        "Serve warm; store leftover rice plain in the fridge and add fruit fresh to each serving",
        "Reheat with a splash of water in the microwave"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "tip",
      "label": "Tip",
      "text": "Water ratio assumes aged basmati in the Instant Pot; on the stovetop use 3 cups and cook covered on the lowest heat. Best with a pomegranate raita."
    }
  ],
  "tags": [
    "Instant Pot"
  ],
  "added": "2026-09-20"
}