Jeweled Rice | America's Test Kitchen

Ingredients

• 4 1/4 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 6 (2-inch) strips orange zest, sliced thin lengthwise
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into ¼-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped fine
• Salt and pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 1/2 cups basmati rice, rinsed
• 1/2 cup currants
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 1/4 cup pistachio, toasted and chopped