Clean the rice properly and soak in warm water for 30 minutes. Drain the water completely and keep for drying for about 15 minutes. Now add 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp garam masala, 2 tsp ghee. Mix these ingerdients with rice and keep covered for 15-20 minutes.

Now heat the pan. Add remaining ghee, add jeera and saute. Flame should be low.Now add bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and saute for few seconds. Add cashew nuts and fry until light golden. Add kismis or raisin and saute until swollen up like small balloons. Now add the rice give a light stir.

Add sugar, 3 cups of water (double the quanity of rice taken). Add pinch of saffron. Keep for boiling on high flame for 10 minutes. Once the upper layer water is soaked, cover with lid. Keep on low flame for about 5 minutes. Switch off the flame. Keep covered for another 5 minutes. Basanti pulao is ready.