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Home » Rice and quinoa

Pilau rice

29/10/2021 by Judith 13 Comments

Pilau rice, also known as pilaf or pulao, is an attractive yellow coloured rice prepared using warm and fragrant spices. It is a perfect accompaniment to many Indian dishes and can be prepared in no time at all.

A bowl of pilau rice.

I have experimented many times to create a blend of pilau rice seasoning I am happy with and I have finally found a perfect combination and balance of spices. This easy pilau rice recipe takes very little time to make and the spices themselves can be prepared in advance for convenience. And the great thing about preparing your own spice blend is that the ingredients can easily be adjusted to suit your own taste.

This fragrant rice is not only for serving alongside other Indian dishes such as samosas or cauliflower and chick pea curry, it can be used in many recipes such as stuffed vegetables or can simply be served as a tasty and colourful side dish with salads, a buffet or barbecue.

The quantities in this pilau rice recipe are sufficient for around 4 servings.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Ingredients for pilau rice

  • Half a medium sized onion - use any type of onion of your choice such as red, brown or white
  • 5 cloves garlic - to add fragrance to the rice
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric - this will create the distinctive yellow colour
  • Half a teaspoon ground coriander - coriander will add an earthy, slightly citrusy flavour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin - this will also contribute to an earthy flavour
  • 1 teaspoon ground fennel - fennel tastes similar to anise but with a milder flavour and will add a slight sweetness to the rice
  • 6 cloves, ground - cloves will add a warm, aromatic fragrance to your rice
  • 6 cardamon pods, ground - these have a sweet, powerful aroma and will add a kick to the overall flavour
  • 7.5cm length cinnamon stick (about 3") - cinnamon will add a hint of sweetness. Try to select a stick which will hold together and not fall apart while the rice is cooking and remove before serving
  • 2 dried bay leaves - use dried bay leaves rather than fresh. Remember to remove them before serving
  • 275g good quality basmati rice (300ml) - basmati rice is a slightly fragrant long grain rice which originates from South Asia. I find that it is a perfect choice when preparing pilau rice as the grains remain separate when cooked resulting in a light, fluffy rice
  • 600ml boiling water - in this recipe the rice is cooked using the absorption method which uses double the volume of water to rice. The rice will be cooked in the correct amount of water and will not require straining
  • A handful of raisins or other dried fruit (optional)
  • A handful of cashew nuts (optional)
  • A few garden peas (fresh or frozen) (optional)
  • Dash of cooking oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients for pilau rice.
Pilau rice spices and basmati rice
Pilau rice

How to make pilau rice

Start by finely chopping the onion and either finely chop or crush the garlic cloves.

Remove the husks from six cardamon pods, discard the husks and crush the seeds to a fine powder using a pestle and mortar. Also, grind 6 cloves to a fine powder using a spice grinder or a pestle and mortar.

A selection of spices
Preparing the spices for pilau rice seasoning

Measure all the ground spices into a bowl ready to add to the rice.

Gently cook the finely chopped onion and garlic in a little hot oil in the saucepan until they just start to soften.

Weigh the rice (or measure 300ml volume in a measuring jug), rinse and then add to the pan with the garlic and onion.

Add the ground spices to the rice, onion and garlic and stir until evenly mixed. Add the cinnamon stick (about 7.5cm length) and two dried bay leaves. If you are adding any extras such as raisins, cashew nuts, peas, etc, add them to the rice and spices at this stage.

Bring 600ml water to boil in a kettle and add to the pan with the rice and spices. Place the lid on the pan and bring to the boil. Once the water starts to boil turn the heat down and simmer for 20 minutes exactly. Do not stir the rice during the cooking time and do not lift the pan lid to check cooking progress. Simply leave to simmer for 20 minutes, covered, and then your rice will be perfectly cooked.

Pilau rice

Tips

  1. The spices can be prepared ahead of cooking the rice. They can also be prepared in a larger quantity so that you have a quantity of seasoning ready to use.
  2. The quantities in the recipe above can easily be increased to cook a larger quantity of pilau rice if required.
  3. Pilau rice is not only for Indian meals, it makes a tasty accompaniment to salads and can also be used as a filling for stuffed vegetables such as sweet potatoes, peppers, etc.
  4. Cooked pilau rice can be served either hot or cold. It will keep in the fridge for a couple of days or can be frozen.

FAQs

What is pilau rice seasoning?

Pilau rice seasoning is a mixture of spices and other ingredients such as garlic and bay leaves, used to flavour long grain rice to create the popular Indian side dish, pilau rice. It can be purchased ready to use or you can create your own spice mix.

What is pilau rice made of?

Pilau rice is made by cooking long grain rice with a combination of spices and herbs. Additional ingredients such as cashew nuts, peas, or dried fruits can also be included.

How do you store pilau rice?

The cooked rice can be placed in a covered bowl in the fridge where it can be stored for 2 to 3 days. It can also be frozen and then defrosted either at room temperature or in a microwave.

Can pilau rice be reheated?

Yes, the rice can be reheated either in an oven or microwave.

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Fragrant pilau rice

Pilau rice

Pilau rice is an attractive yellow coloured rice prepared using warm and fragrant spices. Not only is it a popular accompaniment to many Indian dishes, it is perfect for stuffed vegetables and to serve alongside salads.
5 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 374 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 0.5 onion
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground fennel
  • 6 cloves
  • 6 cardamon pods
  • 7.5 cm cinnamon stick
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 275 g Basmati rice
  • 600 ml boiling water
  • 25 g raisins
  • 25 g cashew nuts
  • 25 g peas
  • 15 ml olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Finely chop the onion and garlic.
  • Remove the husks from the cardamon pods and crush the seeds.
  • Crush the cloves.
  • Measure the remaining spices into a bowl.
  • Gently cook the onion and garlic in a little hot oil until they start to soften.
  • Rinse the rice and add to the pan with the onion and garlic.
  • Add all the spices and the bay leaves to the rice.
  • Add any extras such as raisins, cashew nuts and peas (optional).
  • Add the boiling water, stir, cover, bring back to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes.

Notes

  1. The spices can be prepared ahead of cooking the rice. They can also be prepared in a larger quantity so that you have a quantity of seasoning ready to use.
  2. The quantities in the recipe above can easily be increased to cook a larger quantity of pilau rice if required.
  3. Pilau rice is not only for Indian meals, it makes a tasty accompaniment to salads and can also be used as a filling for stuffed vegetables such as sweet potatoes, peppers, etc.
  4. Cooked pilau rice can be served either hot or cold. It will keep in the fridge for a couple of days or can be frozen.

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 8gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 18mgPotassium: 301mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 65IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Rice, Spicy
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shelby

    September 03, 2022 at 2:59 pm

    5 stars
    The cardamom pods in this make it so fragrant! Such a yummy side dish.

    Reply
    • Judith

      September 04, 2022 at 6:15 pm

      Thank you for trying this recipe.

      Reply
  2. Giangi Townsend

    September 03, 2022 at 3:11 pm

    5 stars
    All the spices make this dish fantastic. We could not stop eating it and will make it soon again.

    Reply
    • Judith

      September 04, 2022 at 6:15 pm

      Thank you for trying this dish.

      Reply
  3. Linda

    September 03, 2022 at 7:15 pm

    5 stars
    This was a perfect side dish with grilled yogurt chicken! Really flavorful and the aromas are intoxicating!

    Reply
    • Judith

      September 04, 2022 at 6:14 pm

      I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  4. Emily

    September 04, 2022 at 7:53 am

    5 stars
    I loved the cashews in this rice! So many flavors and so delicious!

    Reply
    • Judith

      September 04, 2022 at 6:14 pm

      Thank you for trying this recipe.

      Reply
  5. Sarah

    September 04, 2022 at 12:26 pm

    5 stars
    Love all the spices in this! Add some curry and codiments and you have a cracking meal, yum!

    Reply
    • Judith

      September 04, 2022 at 6:13 pm

      Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  6. Alyssa Reinbolt

    September 04, 2022 at 12:31 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is divine! I love the different textures from the cashews and the raisins against the rice. It's wonderful!

    Reply
    • Judith

      September 04, 2022 at 6:12 pm

      I'm pleased you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  7. Nancy

    September 05, 2022 at 5:55 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for this easy recipe with pilau. Super satisfying and really
    Hits the spot

    Reply
5 from 9 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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