Calcutta Style      Rice Pilaf Rice, Onion, Spices, Green Peas, Fruit & Nuts. This Rice Pilaf is certainly one of the most delicious you will ever make. Don't be afraid to experiment. Change the recipe to suit you tastes. Use dried Dates, Figs or Cherries instead of Raisins. Replace the Almonds with Pistacios or Hazelnuts. It may not be the classic Calcutta recipe, but you may surprise yourself and your friends! 1/2 tsp whole Cumin Seeds 1/4 cup Almond slivers 1 Tbl Ghee OR Oil 1/2 cup Onion (finely chopped) 2 cups Basmati White Rice (washed and drained) 1/4 tsp ground Turmeric 2 whole Green Cardamon Pods (barely smashed open) 2 whole Cloves 1 whole Cinnamon Stick (1" long) 1/4 cup Black Raisins 1/2 tsp Salt 3 1/2 cups Water 1 cup Green Peas (fresh OR thawed-frozen) 1. Heat a small frying pan over low heat, add the whole Cumin Seeds           Dry toast the Cumin Seeds about 2 minutes           or until they begin to darken slightly.           Pour into a small bowl and set aside. 2. In the same pan, add the Almond slivers,           Dry toast the Almond slivers about 2 minutes           or until they begin to darken slightly.           Pour into the bowl with the Cumin Seeds and set aside. 3. Place a 2 Qt pot on medium-high heat, add Ghee OR Oil,           Add Onion, saute about 3 - 5 minutes or until golden. 4. Add Rice, saute about 2 - 3 minutes, stirring constantly           until Rice justs start to show signs of browning. 5. Add reserved Cumin Seeds & Almond slivers, Turmeric, Cardamon Pods,           Cloves, Cinnamon Stick, Black Raisins & Salt. Stir into rice. 6. Add Water, [If using fresh Green Peas, add now.], stir once. 7. Bring to boil, lower heat, cover tightly, simmer 15 minutes.           [If using thawed-frozen Green Peas, add on top of rice after 9 minutes.      [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. 4. 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. 9. When done, many of the ingredients will have risen to the top.           Gently fold all of the ingredients together.           Be careful not to mash the Rice and Green Peas. 10. Serve.