Take 2 cups of basmati rice in a bowl and wash it nicely. Soak it with water and keep it aside for half an hour. After 30 minutes, drain the water and add ½ tsp of salt, 1.5 tsp of sugar, ½ tsp of rose water, ½ tsp of kewra water and mix them all very nicely.

Now, take ½ cup of warm milk and add a pinch of saffron to it. Mix it nicely and keep aside for 15 to 20 minutes.

In a separate bowl take a few pieces of apple and pear and mix 1 tsp sugar with them. Keep it in the fridge for half an hour.

Now, heat 2 tbsp of ghee or clarified butter in a pan over a medium to high flame. When it is hot, add 2 pieces of bay leaves, 1 piece of cinnamon (1-inch stick), 4 pieces of cloves, 2 pieces of black cardamom (pods slit), 2 pieces of green cardamom (pods slit), 2 pieces of star anise and fry them until you can smell the aroma. Now, add ½ cup of dry fruits (almonds, raisins, cashew nuts) to it and fry them for about 3 to 4 minutes until they turn golden brown.

Then, add the rice. Mix and stir continuously to cook the rice for about 6 to 7 minutes on a high flame. Now, add 1 tsp of ginger juice to it and mix nicely.

Then, add ½ tsp of fennel powder to it and mix nicely and let the rice cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Then, add the saffron milk. Mix well.

Then, add 3 cups of warm water to it. Mix nicely.

Cover the pan and cook the rice over a medium flame for about 10 minutes more.

Now, add 8 paneer cubes (fried in ghee and a hint of chili flakes) and 2 pieces of aloo Bukhara to it. Mix them, cover the pan and let it cook for another 6 to 7 minutes. Then, add the toned pieces of apple and pear without the sugar water, a few pieces of pineapple, ½ cup of pomegranate, and 6 pieces of cherries.

Mix everything very nicely. Turn the flame off, cover the pan for about 3 to 4 minutes.

Your sweet and delicious homemade Kashmiri pulao is now ready. Transfer it to a plate.

Garnish it with a few pomegranate seeds and fresh grapes on top and serve hot along with Kashmiri aloo dum, paneer kadai, mutton korma, or chicken kasha to enjoy.