Indian restaurant-style pilau rice, with a mild aromatic flavour, only takes 5 minutes longer to make than regular boiled rice. Pep up that homemade curry with this easy recipe for vibrant yellow pilau rice.
The yellow colour of this rice is so bright that I find it almost impossible to photograph! You can see Ive gone for a dark set-up above, a light set-up further down the post and a blue colour scheme with the curry at the end. A highly frustrating photoshoot (and Im still not happy with the pics).
Its a good job I get to eat it at the end. Food always calms me down
I love the gentle aromatic flavour of this vibrant rice. Super easy to make, but it adds a little something special to the dinner table on curry night.
What do we need?
Im using basmati rice for this, but you can replace with long-grain white rice if you like. Be sure to use white rice (brown rice takes longer to cook and you wont get the same yellow colour). Also, dont use easy-cook rice – or you wont get that nice fluffy rice texture.
How to make Pilau Rice
**Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.**
- Soften chopped onion in a saucepan with a little oil and butter.
- Stir in those lovely spices (Im using cumin seeds, cardamom pods, cloves and turmeric), plus a couple of bay leaves before adding the uncooked rice.
- Add boiling water to the pan, then stir, cover and cook on a VERY LOW heat for 20 minutes.
Remove the lid, fluff up the rice and serve.
Ive got so many curry recipes on the site! Try some of these:
Or how about served up with this chicken jalfrezi and my homemade chapati…
The Real Original Swahili-Style Pilau Recipe
FAQ
What does pilau rice contain?
What is pilau mix made of?
What is the procedure of cooking pilau?
What is the difference between rice and pilau?
What does pilau mean?
Oxford English Dictionary (2006b), pilau (n), Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd edition, online (subscription required), “A dish, partly of Middle Eastern, partly and ultimately of South Asian origin, consisting of rice (or, in certain areas, wheat) cooked in stock with spices, usually mixed with meat and various other ingredients.
What are piles?
Piles, also known as hemorrhoids, are swollen veins in the anus and rectum. Piles can be internal or external. Internal piles are located inside the rectum and are usually not painful. External piles are located under the skin around the anus and can be painful, especially when they become thrombosed (blood clots form in the vein).
What is rice pilau made of?
Rice pilau is a fragrant tasty one-pot dish made with caramelized beef with rice and potato cooked in a rich and delicious meat or chicken broth. It is considered a special rice dish that is often served at weddings, during festive seasons or when an important guests arrive. what makes pilau brown?
Where did pilau come from?
This pilau variety is traditionally prepared and served for special occasions and celebrations. It can be enriched by the addition of potatoes, tomatoes, and raisins. Originally, pilau was brought to Africa by the Arabs, and later on, it was brought to America by enslaved Africans.