Sweet Saffron Rice

This is a special offering to Goddess Saraswati on the very auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami. It is believed that on this day goddess Saraswati was born who showers the wealth of knowledge.  

"When winter comes, can spring be far behind?" asked P B Shelley. 

Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of spring and falls on the fifth day of Maagh (Hindi Month) each year. The word 'Vasant' means spring and 'Panchmi' denotes the fifth day on which the festival falls. Spring means pleasant weather, free from the scorching heat, the cold bites or dodgy rains. It is therefore crowned as the king of all seasons. 

The scintillating yellow colour holds great importance on this day. The color of Basant (Spring) is yellow, also known as the 'Basanti' colour. It symbolizes prosperity, light, energy and optimism. This is the reason why people wear yellow clothes and make traditional delicacies in yellow hues. 

On the day of Basant Panchami a log with a figure of Holika is placed in a public place. During the next 40 days, devotees add twigs and other flammable material to form a pyre which is lit on Holi. Kite flying, the popular sport of India, is associated with the festival of Basant Panchami. Especially in north India, the kite flying tradition has been given great importance. 

Indian festivals are incomplete without traditional sweets. On this day we offer sweet saffron rice also called "pile meethe chawal" in Hindi. This traditional sweet dish made with rice, sugar, milk, saffron and dryfruits.

Ingredients:

1. Basmati Rice - 1cup
2. Ghee - 1 tbsp
3. Water - 2 cup
4. Milk - 1 tbsp
5. Sugar - 1/2 cup
6. Saffron - 1 tsp
7. Cardamon - 1/2 tsp
8. Dry Fruits (Almond sliced, Cashews, Chironji, Raisins) - 1 cup

Method:

1. Wash and soak  rice for 20- 30 mins.
2. In a ghee, roast the dry fruits of your choice.Then add rice and fry it for few minutes.
3. Add 1 cup of water to the rice and let it cook for 7 mins. Keep an eye on it as it is cooking in half of the water.
4. Add 1 cup of water, sugar, cardamon and make it boiled syrup. 
5. Soak saffron in warm milk. Then mix it in the syrup.
6. When rice is half cooked add the syrup to it and let it cook for 8-9 mins.
7. Sweet Saffron Rice is ready to serve.

Substitutions:

1. Sugar can be substituted by jaggery.
2. You can try mixing sugar directly instead of making syrup.

Tips:

1. Increase more sugar if you like really sweet.
2. Do not hesitate to try the dry fruits of your choice.  Try sliced coconuts if you like coconut.