Perfect Pilau Rice

Pilau Rice on the Hob

1. Heat a tablespoon of butter in a lidded pot. Stir in the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, turmeric and salt. Stir to allow the spices to infuse the butter.
2. Add the onion, if using. Stir to coat in the spices then cover the pot and cook very low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until softened.
3. Add the basmati rice (no need to rinse) to the pot and stir to coat in the fragrant butter.
4. Add hot vegetable stock, stir once then cover the pot tightly and reduce heat to lowest setting. Leave to cook for 10 minutes without opening the pot.
5. Remove the lid and check the rice - almost all of the liquid should have been absorbed. Stir once with a gentle folding action.
6. Take the pot off the heat, cover with the lid and leave for another ten minutes for soft fluffy rice.
7. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick, bay leaf, cardamom pods. Season to taste and serve with your favourite curry.

Instant Pot Pilau Rice

1. Select “Sauté” press Adjust / Less. Melt the butter / vegan spread and add all the spices, salt, bay leaf and onion. Stir to combine.
2. Add the rice and stir for a minute to coat in the spices. Add the stock and cover the Instant Pot, set vent to “Sealing”. Select the “Rice” setting or cook on LOW PRESSURE for 12 minutes.
3. Release the steam manually and immediately remove the inner pot from the pressure cooker (otherwise the rice will continue to cook and may stick).
4. Fluff the rice up with a fork. Discard the bay leaf, cinnamon stick and cardamom pods and serve straight away.