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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
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 374 kcal

Equipment

  • Chopping board
  • Sharp knife
  • Garlic press (optional)
  • Pestle and mortar
  • Large saucepan with lid
  • Kettle
  • Kitchen scales
  • Measuring jug
  • Teaspoon

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
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