Ingredients: 280g (10oz) white long-grain rice 100g (4oz) blanched almonds, halved 100g (4oz) unsalted butter 50g (2oz) raisins 100g (4oz) unstoned dates, fresh or dried salt Method: THIS is an unusual rice dish which goes well with chicken or roast meat.

Ingredients:

280g (10oz) white long-grain rice

100g (4oz) blanched almonds, halved

100g (4oz) unsalted butter

50g (2oz) raisins

100g (4oz) unstoned dates, fresh or dried

salt

Method:

THIS is an unusual rice dish which goes well with chicken or roast meat. Serves six.

Rinse the rice and boil in plenty of salted water until it is almost, but not quite, soft. Pour into a sieve and rinse in boiling water to remove starch.

Fry the almonds in half the butter until golden. Add the raisins and dates and stir gently over moderate heat for a few minutes, then add 4fl oz water and simmer gently for a further 10min until the dates are soft and the water absorbed.

Melt 25g (1oz) butter in a large saucepan and add half the rice. Spread the date and almond mixture over the top and cover with the remaining rice.

Top with the rest of the butter cut into small pieces. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook over a very low heat or in a low oven for a further 20min.

JUDY BROADWAY