Pilau Rice

This recipe for Pilau rice is a hit every time I do it. It’s easy, wholesome and delicious. Here are the ingredients:

500 grams basmati rice
4 cloves
1 small cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon salt
a good pinch of turmeric
60g Butter or Ghee
1 finely sliced onion
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
4 – 5 cardamom pods
litre boiling water

In a large saucepan, melt the butter or ghee and throw in the cloves, cumin, bay leaves, cinnamon stick and cardamom pods.
After a few minutes add the sliced onion and turmeric. Fry gently untill the onion is slightly golden.

Now add the rice to the pan and mix well.

Add the boiling water and salt, bring it to a boil, then lower to the lowest possible heat and cover tightly for 25 minutes max. No cheating! You can’t lift the lid or the rice won’t cook well.

When cooked, you can put a clean tea-towel on the rice then cover with the lid until served.

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