Fruited Basmati Rice

Place the rice into a pan and rinse it with water to remove milky coating (until water runs clear). Bring to a boil in ample water. Reduce heat to very low, cover the pan and simmer.

Grate the peel from 1/2 an orange. Add to the simmering rice. Peel the ginger root, cut 5 slices, chop and stir them into the rice. Add the raisins and dried chopped apricots. Sprinkle the rice mixture with cumin. Cover and cook for a total of 30 minutes.

Just before serving, toast the almonds in a heavy saute pan until fragrant and light brown. Top each serving of rice with toasted almonds.

This recipe yields 8 generous servings.