Paal Payasam / Milk & Rice pudding

Ingredients 

Basmati rice         : 1/4 cup 
Milk                     : 4 cups 
Sugar                   : 3/4  cup 
Cardamom powder 
Saffron 

Method 

Soak saffron in little milk.
Fry rice in 1/4 tsp ghee and powder it to a coarse powder.
Boil milk in a heavy bottomed pan.
Once the milk comes to a boil,add the powdered rice,simmer the flame,cook till the rice is soft. 
Stir in between to prevent sticking at the bottom. 
The secret of its unique flavour is in the slow cooking.
Once the milk has been absorbed ,and the rice has become soft,add sugar and let it boil for few minutes. 
Add saffron, cardamom and mix well. 
Garnish with cashew nuts & raisins fried in ghee if desired.
Serve hot.