Hairy Bikers Pilau Rice Recipe

This Hairy Bikers Pilau Rice Recipe is a buttery and aromatic dish, which uses basmati rice and whole spices. It’s a perfect side dish for curries, ready in about 35 minutes.

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Hairy Bikers Pilau Rice Recipe Ingredients

• ½ tsp coriander seeds
• 6 cardamom pods
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 8 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 bay leaves
• 75g butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp black mustard seeds
• 300g basmati rice, rinsed and drained
• 500ml chicken or vegetable stock
• Salt and pepper to taste

How To Make Hairy Bikers Pilau Rice Recipe

1. Pound the spices: Crush the coriander, cardamom, cumin, cloves, and cinnamon with a pestle and mortar.
2. Cook aromatics: Melt half the butter in a saucepan. Add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until soft.
3. Toast the spices: Add the turmeric, mustard seeds, and pounded spices. Cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add rice and stock: Stir in the rinsed rice to coat well. Pour in the stock and season with salt and pepper.
5. Simmer the rice: Bring to a boil. Cover tightly, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
6. Rest and fluff: Remove from heat. Dot the remaining butter over the top. Fluff with a fork, replace lid, and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use ghee instead of butter? Yes, ghee adds a traditional flavor and works perfectly.
• Why rinse the rice? Rinsing removes excess starch, making the rice fluffy and separate.
• What stock is best? Chicken stock adds richness, but vegetable stock makes it vegetarian-friendly.
• Can I add saffron? Yes, a pinch of saffron soaked in warm water adds color and aroma.
• How to prevent sticky rice? Avoid stirring during cooking and don’t lift the lid.

What To Serve With Pilau Rice

Pilau rice pairs wonderfully with:

• Chicken tikka masala
• Lamb rogan josh
• Paneer butter masala
• Keema curry
• Grilled tandoori chicken

How To Store Pilau Rice

Refrigerate: Cool quickly and store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat until piping hot.

Freeze: Freeze in portions for up to 1 month. Thaw and reheat in the microwave or a pan with a splash of water.

Pilau Rice Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 250 kcal
• Total Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 200mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 40g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 1g
• Protein: 4g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make this without whole spices?
Yes, use ground versions but reduce the quantity slightly.

Is pilau rice spicy?
No, it’s aromatic but mild. You can adjust the spice level with chili if desired.

How to reheat rice safely?
Cool and refrigerate quickly. Reheat thoroughly until steaming hot.

Can I add vegetables?
Yes, peas, carrots, or sweetcorn make great additions.

Does this work with brown rice?
Yes, but cooking time and liquid amounts will need to be adjusted.

Try More Recipes:

• Hairy Bikers Keema Curry Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Egg And Bacon Pie Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Chinese Chicken Curry Recipe