Best Pilau Or Pulao Fragrant Rice Recipes

PILAU RICE

Steps:

• Using a pestle and mortar, pound the coriander seeds into a coarse powder. Add the cardamom pods and grind until the husks split and the seeds are lightly crushed. Add the cumin, cloves, cinnamon and bay and pound very lightly for a few seconds, to mix.
• Melt half the butter in a sauté pan or wide-based saucepan over a medium heat. Fry the onion and garlic for 5 minutes, or until softened, stirring regularly. Sprinkle in the turmeric and mustard seeds, plus all the ingredients from the pestle and mortar. Fry gently for 2 minutes, stirring.
• Mix in the rice to coat it in the buttery spices. Add the stock and a good pinch of black pepper. Add a pinch of salt if needed (stock from a cube will already contain salt). Stir well and bring to the boil. Give a final stir then cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce the heat to its lowest setting and cook for 15 minutes.
• When the rice is cooked, cut the rest of the butter into small pieces. Remove the pan lid and dot the butter over the hot rice. Leave to melt for a few seconds, then quickly fluff up the rice using a fork, taking care not to break up the grains.
• Replace the lid and leave to stand for 5 minutes before serving. (Warn your guests not to eat the cardamom, cinnamon or any whole cloves.)

PILAU RICE RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan and gently fry the cardamom and cinnamon until the spices' aromas are released, which should take about 5 minutes.
• Add the onion and gently fry for around 5 minutes, or until it has softened and has become translucent.
• Add the garlic and stir fry for another 2 minutes.
• Tip in the rice, cumin, turmeric, cloves and bay leaves.
• Stir vigorously then pour in the water.
• Turn up the heat, give it another stir then wait for a slow simmering point to be reached.
• Once it slowly simmers, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and cook for about 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked.
• Fluff up the rice with a fork and serve immediately with your favourite curry. Enjoy!