Golden pilau rice - light, fluffy basmati rice infused with warm spices and a signature golden colour. A simple, fragrant side dish that pairs perfectly with curries and brings takeaway-style flavour to your kitchen.
The original recipe was part of a reader's Father's Day meal in the June 2023 Asda magazine. It went along with recipes for chicken jalfrezi and garlic flatbread. I made the jalfrezi but not the flatbread as there's a yummy recipe here on Felly Bull for quick naan breads.
The end result is fluffy subtly spiced pilau rice that won't overpower your favourite Indian mains.
Tips
- Optional variations:
- Saffron pilau rice - use saffron instead of turmeric.
- Butter pilau rice - add extra butter or ghee.
- Vegetable pilau rice - add peas, diced carrots or chopped green beans.
- Nutty pilau rice - add toasted cashews or almonds.
- Herb pilau rice - finish with chopped coriander.
- This golden pilau rice recipe can easily be adapted if you're cooking for less or more people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pilau rice is a lightly spiced rice dish made with basmati rice and aromatic spices.
Turmeric or saffron gives pilau rice its golden colour.
Basmati rice is best because it cooks light and fluffy.
Yes - reheat thoroughly until piping hot.
Yes - freeze for up to 1 month and reheat thoroughly.
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How to make this Golden Pilau Rice
Ingredients
- 200g basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes then rinsed
- 15g butter or ghee
- 1 onion (approx. 120g), finely sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 3 cardamom pods
- 2 cloves
- 500ml vegetable stock (made using 1 vegetable stock cube or pot)
- salt
Instructions
- Firstly, soak the rice, then look out and prep the rest of the ingredients.
- Melt the butter or ghee on a medium heat in a large saucepan and fry the onion for 10 minutes, or until starting to char at the edges, stirring occasionally.
- Add the garlic and fry for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the rinsed rice, turmeric, cardamom and cloves. Stir and add the stock.
- Bring to the boil and then reduce to a low simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the stock is absorbed. Cover with a lid off the heat for 10 minutes. Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork. Check the seasoning and add salt, to taste. Enjoy as a side with your favourite Indian curries.
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Golden Pilau Rice
Ingredients
- 200 g (1 ¼ cups) basmati rice soaked for 30 minutes then rinsed
- 15 g (0.5 oz) butter or ghee
- 1 onion (approx. 120g) finely sliced
- 3 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 3 cardamom pods
- 2 cloves
- 500 ml (2 ¼ cups) vegetable stock (made using 1 vegetable stock cube or pot)
- salt
Instructions
- Firstly, soak the rice, then look out and prep the rest of the ingredients.
- Melt the butter or ghee on a medium heat in a large saucepan and fry the onion for 10 minutes, or until starting to char at the edges, stirring occasionally.
- Add the garlic and fry for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the rinsed rice, turmeric, cardamom and cloves. Stir and add the stock.
- Bring to the boil and then reduce to a low simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the stock is absorbed. Cover with a lid off the heat for 10 minutes. Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork. Check the seasoning and add salt, to taste. Enjoy as a side with your favourite Indian curries.
Notes
- Optional variations:
- Saffron pilau rice - use saffron instead of turmeric.
- Butter pilau rice - add extra butter or ghee.
- Vegetable pilau rice - add peas, diced carrots or chopped green beans.
- Nutty pilau rice - add toasted cashews or almonds.
- Herb pilau rice - finish with chopped coriander.
- This golden pilau rice recipe can easily be adapted if you're cooking for less or more people.
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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