The Lowdown on Pilau Rice

October 13, 2020

Rice is a staple in Asian cuisine which means that it is often consumed with a vast majority of Indian dishes. With this said, there is nothing worse than rice that is unseasoned and poorly cooked! Indian cuisine has managed to perfect the cooking of this grain in order to create dishes that work independently and as an accompaniment to the main attraction. Read on as we go over everything there is to know about pilau rice…

Unlike boiled rice, pilau rice is a dish made with a variety of different spices as these provide a burst of flavour that will entice the taste buds for all the right reasons. For instance, traditional spices like turmeric, cardamom, cumin, cinnamon and bay leaves are cooked in a hearty supply of oil or ghee and infused with traditional basmati rice. It is this array that gives pilau rice its distinctive yellow hue and makes it the perfect way to complement both spicy and unspicy curry dishes.

Pilau rice is easier to make than it sounds and can be successfully cooked by both amateur and professional chefs. First, you should place the array of spices listed above into a pan alongside a chopped onion, 1-2 cloves of garlic and half a teaspoon of salt. Allow them to cook on a low heat for up to 10 minutes until the onions are soft but not browned. After this, add the basmati rice and stir in order to combine both mixtures. Next, add boiled water, bring it back up to the boil, cover and allow it to simmer as required until the rice is cooked. You should see the rice gradually turn yellow. Finally, turn off the heat and allow it to steam for five minutes before serving it fresh.

As one of the most versatile dishes in Indian cuisine, there are a variety of different ways that pilau rice can be enjoyed. For instance, it can be eaten as a main dish by adding filling extras like meat, lentils or even potatoes during the cooking process. Alternatively, it can be enjoyed alongside an authentic Indian curry like tikka masala, vindaloo or bhuna.

There are certain dishes in Indian cuisine that rely on the implementation of carefully selected ingredients in order to work. After all, it is the flavour of the food that keeps us coming back for more. To find out more information about pilau rice, get in contact with the best restaurant Manchester has to offer and speak to a member of the Royal Nawaab team today!