Pilaf with Dried Fruits

Ingredients

Rice 2 cups

Carrots 2

Onions 1

Vegetable oil 3/4 cup

Raisins 3 tbsp

Prunes 10

Salt

Water

Spices

Saffron

Soak the rice in warm, salted water for 1 hour. This is essential, as the rice will be fluffy and not mushy.

Heat a cauldron or heavy-bottomed saucepan over high heat. Pour in the vegetable oil. Add the chopped onion and fry for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add the thinly sliced onion and fry, stirring, until the carrots are tender.

Season with salt, pepper, and saffron or a pilaf spice mix (optional if you don't like it). Add the washed dried fruit. For those who love dried apricots, you can also add them to the pilaf. Mix everything well.

Pour thoroughly washed rice into the cauldron. Season with salt. Cover the rice with water (1.5-2 fingers above the rice). Cook over high heat until the water evaporates. Then, make a mound of rice in the center, insert 1/2 head of garlic (unpeeled) into the mound, cover the cauldron, and reduce the heat to low. Cook the pilaf until done (15-20 minutes).

Enjoy!