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Pilau rice in a white bowl with a spoon.

The Easy 30 Minute Pilau Rice

Easy 30-minute pilau rice made with simple ingredients all from Aldi. The perfect side dish to go with all your Indian curries.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Side dishes
Cuisine: Indian- Inspired
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Author: Deborah Rainford

Ingredients

  • 20 g (5/7 oz) salted butter
  • 1 (1) brown onion, diced
  • 1 clove (1 clove) garlic, minced
  • 2 (2) sprigs thyme, leaves picked
  • 1 (1) bay leaf
  • 3 (3) cloves
  • 1 (1) cinnamon stick
  • ½ teaspoon (½ teaspoon) cumin
  • ½ teaspoon (½ teaspoon) turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon (¼ teaspoon) ground coriander
  • 250 g (1 2/7 cups) basmati rice
  • 500 ml (2 cups) vegetable stock

Instructions

  • Heat the butter in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat. Saute the onions and garlic until soft and translucent. Mix in the thyme, and all the spices. Continue to cook for a further 2 minutes.
  • Mix in the basmati rice and mix to coat all the grains in the spices. Pour in the hot stock and bring to a boil. Turn down to a very gentle simmer over very low heat and put the lid on the pan. Continue to cook for about 11 minutes until the rice is tender and the stock has been absorbed. 
  • Once the rice is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and fluff the rice with a fork and let stand for about 5 minutes before serving. 

Notes

  1. Rinse First: Before cooking, always rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch, preventing the rice from becoming sticky during cooking.
  2. Cardamom Pods: When adding cardamom pods, lightly crush or "bash" them open to release the seeds inside. This will impart a deeper flavour. Just remember to remove the pods before serving.
  3. Lid Matters: Use a tight-fitting lid to ensure proper steam cooking. If your pot doesn't have a good lid, a clean kitchen towel under the lid can help seal in steam, ensuring fluffy rice.
  4. Reheating Tips: When reheating pilau rice, add a splash of water to keep it moist. Microwave or steam until it's piping hot throughout. Always reheat rice only once.
  5. Experiment with Add-ins: Pilau rice is versatile. Feel free to add veggies like peas or carrots for a colourful twist, or toss in some raisins for a touch of sweetness.

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 541mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 423IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg
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