PILAU RICE

This easy to make rice dish is a tasty alternative to plain boiled or fried rice.


INGREDIENTS

 ·         3 tbsps vegetable oil

·         5 cm piece of cinnamon stick

·         4 cardamom pods, crushed

·         4 cloves

·         1 onion, finely chopped

·         250 gm long-grain rice, washed and soaked for 30                   minutes

·         600 ml beef stock or water, or mix of both

·         Salt

METHOD

1.         Heat the oil in a casserole or other large pan.

2.         Add the cinnamon, cardamom and cloves and fry for a few seconds.

3.         Add the onion and fry over a medium heat until golden.

4.         Drain the rice thoroughly and add to the pan and fry, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

5.         Add the stock/water, and salt to taste. Bring to the boil, and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the rice is cooked and the liquid absorbed.

VEGETABLE PILAU

To make a vegetable pilau, add 125 gm of peas, thinly sliced or diced carrots and small cauliflower florets to the pan after frying the onion (Stage 3). Fry for 5 minutes, then add the rice and proceed as above.