Wash the rice a few times and then soak it for 15 minutes.

In the mean time pour the milk into a heavy bottom pan. Drop the bay leaves and the cardamoms.

Now bring the milk to boil and then reduce to medium heat. Keep stirring occasionally as you simmer the milk for 15 minutes.

Drain the soaked rice and pour to the milk and keep stirring occasionally as the rice cooks. (DO NOT ADD SUGAR AT THIS MOMENT)

As the rice cooks do not increase the heat, keep stirring occasionally. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes for the rice to be cooked through. You don't want the rice to get mushy so keep an eye.

Once the rice is completely cooked through, switch off the heat and add the sugar, raisins and cashew. Stir it to incorporate the sugar completely and then cover the pan for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, stir it around and give a taste. If you prefer payesh much sweeter then feel free to add more sugar.

As the payesh cools down it will thicken a little bit more. So if at this point it already looks very thick, then add little milk to loosen the texture.

Once the payesh has completely cooled down to room temperature, add the orange juice and orange pulp and fold it to the payesh to evenlt distribute it.

Serve with few more orange pulps on top as garnish.