0 from 3 votes
Easy Pilau Rice Recipe
Easy Pilau Rice Recipe with basmati rice, saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise and cloves, a beautifully fragrant side dish that is the perfect accompaniment to any Indian or Middle Eastern feast. It's incredibly easy and quick to make, and it can rival any restaurant or take away pilau rice.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 291 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Indian
Ingredients
- 250 g basmati rice ( 1.35 cup)
- 475 ml water (2 cups)
- 1 small onion
- 25 g butter ( 1 oz)
- 1 teaspoon cloves
- 1 teaspoon cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 star anise
- ½ teaspoon peppercorns
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon saffron threads
Instructions
- Peel and chop the onion finely.
- In a pot set over a low to medium heat, melt the butter, add the onion, and fry it until golden.
- Add the cinnamon stick, star anise, cardamom pods, cloves, saffron, salt and peppercorns, and give everything a good stir.
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Add the rice to the pan, pour over the water, and place a lid on the pot.
- Cook it until all the water is evaporated.
- Remove the pot from the heat, but still keep the lid on for 5 minutes so that the rice can fluff up nicely.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- It might look like there is not enough liquid to the amount of rice used, but it's actually the right amount to make light and perfectly fluffy rice that has the grains nicely separated after cooking.
- Too much water will make the rice sticky and mushy, and more like a risotto, than a pilau rice. I used this rice: water ration for my plain basmati rice recipe and it always comes out perfect.
- Always rinse the rice very well until the water runs clear, otherwise the starchy water will turn the rice to mush too.
- You can add any dried fruit or nuts to this saffron rice too, there are many variations that include them, and it can only be so delicious!
Nutrition Information
Calories
291kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
54g
(18%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
6g
(9%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.3g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
13mg
(4%)
Sodium
340mg
(14%)
Potassium
140mg
(4%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
164IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
46mg
(5%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 291
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 291kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 54g | 18% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 13mg | 4% |
| Sodium | 340mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 140mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 164IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 46mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.