Pilau rice seasoning

Prepare your own pilau rice seasoning using a blend of whole and ground aromatic spices using this easy spice mix recipe. Use your homemade spice blend to prepare authentic Indian spiced rice using this recipe for pilau rice.

If your spices are already ground your spice mix will be ready within minutes. If not, any whole spices should first be ground using a pestle and mortar or a spice grinder. You can toast the whole spices before grinding to enhance the flavour if you wish. Simply heat a heavy bottomed pan or skillet, add the whole spices and stir for a couple of minutes until fragrant.

You can easily adjust the quantities to prepare the amount of seasoning you require. This spice mix is perfect for making in bulk to store along with your other herbs, spices and seasonings.

I spent some time trialling different combinations of seasonings to perfect this spice blend recipe. Pilau rice is one of our family favourites which we enjoy with Indian inspired dishes such as cauliflower and chick pea curry so I was determined to perfect my homemade spice blend. While the earlier attempts had been good, there seemed to be something missing. Then I discovered that ground fennel made all the difference! Fennel adds a sweet tang to the pilau spice mix and perfected my homemade pilau seasoning. I use this spice blend regularly to prepare my own authentic pilau rice at home.

While you have your spice jars out of the cupboard why not prepare some other homemade spice blends such as chilli seasoning, curry powder, Chinese five spice powder or mixed spice?

The quantities in the pilau rice reasoning recipe are sufficient to make 4.5 teaspoons of seasoning which is sufficient to prepare around 275g pilau rice (roughly 4 servings).

Pilau rice spices

To prepare this spice mix you will need:

• 1 tsp turmeric - this adds an earthy flavour and gives pilau rice its distinctive yellow colour.

• ½ tsp coriander - ground.

• 1 teaspoon cumin - ground.

• 1 teaspoon fennel - ground. This adds a sweet, tangy fragrance to the seasoning.

• ½ teaspoon cloves - ground. These will add a warm, aromatic fragrance to your spice blend.

• ½ teaspoon ground cardamon - remove and discard the husks and grind the seeds.

• About 7.5 cm length of cinnamon stick - this is used whole when cooking pilau rice and then removed before serving.

How to make pilau rice seasoning from scratch

Grind the cloves.

Remove the husks from the cardamon pods and discard. Grind the seeds.

Measure and place all the ground spices in a bowl and mix.

Transfer to a clean airtight jar with a tight fitting lid.

How to store

Store your pilau seasoning alongside your other spices and herbs in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid, in a dry place and away from direct sunlight.

How to use pilau rice seasoning

• Combine with garlic, onion and basmati rice to make pilau rice to serve alongside your favourite Indian dishes such as cauliflower and chick pea curry, lentil dahl or vegetable samosas.
• Use your spice blend to season vegetables such as potato wedges or spicy cauliflower.
• Add to rice to make a tasty filling for stuffed vegetables or serve cold with a salad.

Other homemade seasoning blends