Indian Rice Pudding

 Ingredients

• 375ml water
• 190g basmati rice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 750ml full cream milk
• 250ml double cream
• 115g sugar
• 115g grated carrot , about 2 small carrots
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

 Optional ingredients

• Fresh grated or crystallized ginger
• Golden raisins
• Ground cardamom
• Cinnamon stick or ground cinnamon
• Saffron threads
• Toasted chopped almonds or pistachios , for garnish
• Pomegranate arils , for garnish
• edible gold leaf

 Method

1. Place the water, rice and salt in a heavy bottomed pan over medium heat.  Once boiling reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until the water is absorbed.  (about 10 minutes)
2. Add the milk, cream sugar, carrot and vanilla essence.
3. Also add optional ingredients of your choice and simmer for 30 minutes uncovered until the mixture thickens to a soft creamy texture.
4. Allow to  cool slightly and serve whilst still wam with chopped cinnamon or pistachio or almond or pomegranate seeds.
5. Decorating with edible gold leaf adds an extra bit of luxury to this dish.  You can buy edible gold leaf from Rakuten