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Cumin and Cardamom Pilau Rice

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nutty_cta_blue Save this one, you'll need this when plain rice is OK, but, just doesn't quite elevate a dish to where it could be!

Cumin & Cardamom Pilau Rice is a wonderfully fragrant rice, with delicate aromas that won't fight with or mask the flavours of the dishes it is served alongside.

The cumin brings warmth and earthiness, while the cardamom adds a sweet, aromatic note. And then there's cinnamon. Most of us are familiar with its rich, earthy sweetness, balanced by a gentle warmth that isn't overpowering.

nutty_thinking_blue There is a little something worth knowing when you're out shopping, though. Cassia cinnamon tends to be bolder and spicier than Ceylon cinnamon, which is a little more delicate and sweeter. Either will work, but they'll give your rice a slightly different character.

This makes it particularly lovely alongside dishes with plenty of flavour of their own, but which aren't fiercely hot — my Rogan Josh Chicken & Mushroom Curry or Butter Chicken are both great examples. Their subtle flavours can easily get lost alongside something too heavily spiced, whereas this pilau complements them beautifully.

It's a fantastic alternative to plain basmati or boiled rice, and the way we cook it ensures that the grains stay light, fluffy and beautifully separate.

And here's an interesting little fact! Cooking the rice in vegetable stock adds a lovely hint of colour as well as flavour, and means we can use it in place of plain salt. Apparently, it's this very method of cooking rice in stock that helped give rise to the Spanish paella dishes.

Ha! Now you know :-)

Click the Method tab below to see a step-by-step guide on how to make Cumin and Cardamom Pilau rice. You wont be disappointed!

cumin-and-cardomom-pilau-rice-chicken-rogan-josh-plated

ingredients

Here's what you need :¬)

serves 4

  • 250g Basmati rice
  • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil or ghee
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 4 green cardamom pods lightly crushed
  • 1 small cinnamon stick
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 450ml hot water
  • 2 OXO vegetable stock cubes

method

This rice dish requires starch free rice, so it will need rinsing until the water runs completely clear. Wash it two to three times to achieve this then soak for 20 minutes.

Fry your spices in a oil or ghee add drained rice then your boiling stock and cook! Simples see :-).

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Let's cook!

  1. Once your rice has been rinsed and soaked for 20 minutes drain completely and heat a medium sauce pan and add your oil or ghee
    • 250g Basmati rice washed soaked and drained
    • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil or ghee
  2. Once the oil is hot add all your spices
    • 1 tsp cumin seeds
    • 4 green cardamom pods lightly crushed
    • 1 small cinnamon stick
    • 2 whole cloves
    • 1 bay leaf
  3. Fry until they smell fragrant then add your drained rice and stir through.
  4. Place water into a microwave or kettle and bring to boiling.
    • 450ml hot water
  5. Crumble your stock cubes into the boiled water.
    • 2 OXO™ vegetable stock cubes
  6. Add your boiling stock to the saucepan
  7. Soon as the pan comes to a rapid boil cover and cook on the lowest setting for 10 minutes "Do not open the lid or disturb"
  8. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
  9. Remove the cinnamon and bay leaf then fluff with a fork and serve.
Cumin & Cardamom Pilau Rice served with Rogan Josh Chicken Curry
cumin-and-cardomom-pilau-rice-chicken-rogan-josh-plated

We hope you enjoy this rice, we found it perfect pairing for some of our main dishes. Let us know what you married this up with, we'd love to hear your thoughts :-)

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