Description
A simple and flavorful easy pilau rice recipe made with basmati rice, aromatic whole and ground spices, and cooked gently in butter or oil for a fragrant and fluffy side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Spices
- 300g basmati rice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 6 cardamom pods, bashed
- 4 cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
Others
- 30g butter or 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 500ml vegetable stock or water
- Large pinch of salt
Instructions
- Soak and rinse the rice: If you have time, tip the basmati rice into a large bowl and soak in cold water for 30 minutes. Rinse in cold running water, then drain well. Rinse and drain again, repeating this process until the water runs only slightly cloudy. Leave the rice in a sieve set over the sink to drain completely.
- Cook the onions and spices: Heat the butter or sunflower oil in a lidded pan over medium heat. Gently fry the chopped onion with a large pinch of salt, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes until the onion is soft and golden brown.
- Add whole and ground spices: Stir in the cinnamon stick, cumin seeds, cardamom pods, cloves, and bay leaves and cook for 2 minutes more, allowing the spices to release their aroma. Then add the ground coriander and ground turmeric, cooking for an additional 1 minute.
- Add rice and stock: Gently stir in the drained rice to coat it well with the onion and spice mixture. Pour over the vegetable stock or water and stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the rice: Cover the pan with the lid and turn the heat up until the liquid starts to heat. Then remove the lid, stir the rice, cover again, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 2 minutes on low heat.
- Steam and rest: Turn the heat off completely and leave the covered pan to stand for 10 minutes without removing the lid to allow the rice to steam and absorb all the flavors.
- Final resting and fluffing: Uncover, stir the rice gently to fluff it up, then cover again and leave to stand for a final 5 minutes. Before serving, fluff up the rice once more with a fork for light and separated grains.
Notes
- Soaking the rice helps to achieve fluffy and separate grains by removing excess starch.
- Vegetable stock adds more flavor than water, but both work well.
- You can substitute sunflower oil with any neutral vegetable oil or butter depending on preference.
- Do not lift the lid while cooking and resting as it lets steam escape and affects the texture.
- Serve pilau rice as a side dish with curries, grilled meats, or vegetable dishes.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: pilau rice, basmati rice recipe, easy pilau, spiced rice, Indian rice dish
