Ingredients: cup Basmati rice, cup Chana dal (Bengal Gram Dal), cup Fresh coconut - grated, cup Sugar, teaspoon Cardamom Powder (Elaichi) - freshly pounded, Saffron strands, tablespoons Badam (Almond) - thinly sliced, tablespoons Pistachios - thinly sliced, tablespoons Cashew nuts - thinly sliced, tablespoons Raisins, tablespoons Ghee, Vegetarian diet
Instructions: To begin making the Gujarati Biraj Recipe, wash and soak the rice and dal in 3 cups of water for an hour.Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in a small pan on medium heat; add the nuts and sauté them until well roasted. Keep aside.Heat 3 tablespoons ghee on medium heat; add the soaked rice and chana dal along with the water it was soaked in, cardamom powder, saffron and sugar. Stir well, until the sugar is dissolved.Turn the heat to low, cover the pan and simmer until the rice and gram dal is cooked and the water is fully absorbed.  Once the water is fully absorbed and the rice and chana dal are cooked turn off the heat.Allow the Biraj to rest for 15 minutes. Finally stir in the freshly grated coconut, roasted nuts and raisins. Serve the Gujarati Biraj along with hot Gujarati Kadhi and Desi Kala Chana Curry.