Find more recipes at fussfreeflavours.com
Easy Homemade Pilau Rice
My easy homemade pilau rice is a feast for all the senses. Colourful, fragrant and delicately spiced, this effortlessly impressive rice dish is guaranteed to lift the spirits.
Servings: 4
Prep Time4 minutes mins
Cook Time18 minutes mins
Resting Time10 minutes mins
Total Time32 minutes mins
- 1 tbs vegetable oil
- 5 cardamom pods
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- small piece cinnamon stick
- 1 cup basmati rice - 200 g
- 2 cups vegetable stock or broth - 480 ml
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 knob butter - optional, to finish
Pour the oil into the bottom of a heavy saucepan, or casserole dish (Dutch oven) and heat over a low flame. Crack the cardamom pods on a chopping board with the side of a heavy knife. Add the cardamom, turmeric and cumin to the pan and fry for a minute until fragrant.
1 tbs vegetable oil, 5 cardamom pods, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp cumin seeds
Add the rice and stir until it is coated with the spice and oil mixture.
1 cup basmati rice
Pour over the stock, add the bay leaves and cinnamon stick and give a quick stir. Add a little salt. Bring to a gentle simmer, put the lid on the pan and leave on the lowest heat for 18 minutes.
small piece cinnamon stick, 2 cups vegetable stock or broth, 2 bay leaves
When the cooking time is over, take the pan off the stove top. The rice will have absorbed all the liquid. Fluff the rice with a fork, replace the lid and allow to stand for up to 15 minutes. For restaurant quality rice, add a knob of butter or a little ghee to the hot rice. Allow to melt and stir through before serving. 1 knob butter
Homemade Pilau Rice - Tips and Tricks
- Make brown pilau rice by using brown basmati rice and increasing the cooking time to 40 minutes.
- There is no need to rinse the rice. If you do rinse the rice, then reduce the amount of stock by 2 tbs.
- This recipe uses more liquid than if you had cold ingredients in a cold pan.
- I make my easy pilau rice in a heavy cast iron casserole or Dutch Oven. Use the heaviest pan you have. A sturdy pan heats evenly and will prevent hot spots and burning.
- Use a pan with a well fitting lid. If the lid doesn't fit properly then some steam will escape and you might end up with dry rice. If the lid isn't tight add a extra spoonful of water.
- Cook on the lowest heat. If necessary, use a stove top heat diffuser or simmer ring to keep the heat low and even. These cost a few pounds or dollars and will last a lifetime.
Nutritional information
- This recipe is 8 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portion
• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.
Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 484mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 255IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1.5mg