Easy Pilau Rice
Transform your rice side dish game with this Easy Pilau Rice recipe, a fragrant and flavorful blend of traditional spices and fluffy Basmati rice. Perfectly spiced with cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, and turmeric, this dish delivers warm, aromatic notes that elevate your meal to new heights. Sautéed onions, garlic, and ginger form a rich base, while a touch of ghee or vegetable oil brings everything together beautifully. Quick to cook in just 30 minutes, this recipe is ideal for serving alongside curries, grilled meats, or vegetable stir-fries. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a vibrant finishing touch, and watch as this golden-hued rice becomes the star of your table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati rice
- 2 cups Water
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil or ghee
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
- 1 piece Cinnamon stick
- 3 Cardamom pods
- 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the Basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Set aside to drain.
Heat the vegetable oil or ghee in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Add the cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and bay leaf. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously, until the spices release their aroma.
Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and golden brown.
Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the turmeric powder and mix well to coat the onions and spices evenly.
Pour in the drained rice and stir gently for 1-2 minutes, ensuring the rice is coated with the spice mixture.
Add the water and salt, then stir gently. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
After 15 minutes, turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to steam.
Remove the lid, fluff the rice with a fork, and discard the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and bay leaf.
Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, if desired, and serve warm alongside your favorite main dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
149 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 7.2 g | 9% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.1 g | 5% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 494 mg | 21% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 19.6 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.3 g | ||
| Protein | 2.1 g | 4% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 44 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.3 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 90 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
