Ingredients

• 250 gms Yogurt
• 1 Cup Rice ( gobindo bhog/ any scented rice) -soaked for 15 mins
• 2 Tbsp Gondhoraj Lime Juice
• 2 to 3 Gondhoraj leaves
• 1/4th teaspoon Gondhoraj zest
• Whole Garam Masala ( 5 cardamoms , 4 cloves and 1 small cinnamon stick )
• Salt as per taste
• 2 to 3 Tbsp Sugar
• 3 Tbsp White Oil
• 2 Tbsp Ghee/Clarified Butter
• 1/4th Cup Cashew
• 1/4th Cup Raisins
• 1.5 Cups Water

Recipe

For Ghol : In a blender add the entire Yogurt, 1 cup of water , gondhoraj lime juice , sugar and salt. Blend till it all dissolves .

For Polao: In a pan heat the oil and ghee and add the whole garam masala spices. Once it starts to pop add cashew and raisins wait till it changes the colour then add 1 Cup of soaked rice and stir for 5 mins till the rice is completely mixed with the oil and starts to fry.

Before the rice changes the colour add the entire ghol and the remaining water .Once it starts to boil add 2 to 3 gondhoraj leaves and zest of lime. Stir for 4 mins till the water starts to evaporate adjust salt or sugar as per the taste bud . Cover it with a lid and let it cook for ten mins . Serve it with any authentic Bengali Veg or Non Veg side dish . My personal favourite is aam katla as nothing echoes summer than this heavenly duo.