Dried Fruit Pulao

Method

Wash rice in several changes of water and soak for 15 minutes.Drain rice in a strainer and set aside for 30 minutes until dry.

Heat oil in a pan and fry onion until just translucent.

Add rice and stir to coat all the grains with oil.

Add 5 cups boiling water and salt. Cover pan and simmering rice and cook for a further 8 minutes.

In the meantime, melt butter in a pan on medium heat and add cumin seeds, prunes, apricots and celery. Stir and fry for 2 minutes.

Pour contents of pan into rice and stir carefully with a fork to blend.

Cover pan and continue to cook (a few minutes at the most) until rice is tender and water is absorbed.

Garnish pulao with slivered almonds.