Indian Rice Pudding (kheer)

Ingredients

6 tbsp. jasmine rice
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
1⁄2 tsp. lightly crushed saffron
1⁄2 tsp. ground cardamom
6 cups milk
3 oz. jaggary or 6 tbsp. light brown sugar
1⁄4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1⁄4 cup thinly sliced pistachios

Directions

Place rice in a fine strainer, and rinse under running water until water runs clear; drain thoroughly. Heat butter in a 10″ skillet over medium heat; add rice, saffron, and cardamom, and cook, stirring until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add milk, and cook, stirring occasionally, until milk is reduced by half and rice is tender, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Add jaggary, almonds, and half the pistachios, and cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl, and garnish with remaining pistachios before serving.