Vegetarian Rice Pilau

This is a quick and easy rice dish that is delicious just with Tarka Dhal, raita and pickles, or as a side dish served with Indian Hunter’s style roast lamb or curries. It is even better the day after and can be eaten cold like a rice salad.

Prep time: 20 minutes Cooking time:10-15 minutes
Ingredients:

1 cup basmati rice
4-5 cups water
1 brown onion finely diced
1 carrot diced
1 cup cooked corn kernels (canned is fine)
1 cup of frozen peas
1 tspoon cummin seeds
Handful of curry leaves (optional)
1 clove garlic and piece of ginger crushed to a paste
1/2 tspoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cummin powder
Handful of coriander leaves chopped for garnish (optional)
2 teaspoons butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons salt

Method

1. Bring 4.5 cups of water to a boil, add 1 tspoon of turmeric, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 cup of basmati rice. Par-boil rice for 10 minutes until rice is half-cooked, strain and set aside.

2. Heat oil in non-stick pot that has a lid, add cummin seeds and curry leaves and heat until fragrant, add onions and cook over low heat until transparent.

3. Add ginger and garlic, chilli powder and cummin powder and mix through onion mixture until heated through.

4. Add carrots and half a cup of water and 1/2 teaspoon salt, simmer for 3-4 minutes until carrots soften, add corn and frozen peas and simmer for a minute or so, then add rice and another half a cup of water. Mix rice and vegetables, then cover with lid and simmer for 4-5 minutes, checking once or twice to ensure rice isn’t sticking or burning, add a small amount of water if necessary. Check that rice is just cooked and turn off heat.

5. Mix through 2 teaspoons of butter, check to see if additional salt is needed, cover with lid and allow to steam in own heat for 10 minutes or so before serving. Rice should be fluffy and full of flavour. Garnish with coriander and serve.

Ps. You can add other diced vegetables of your choice when cooking the carrots. potatoes and green beans work well, but might need slightly longer to cook, before adding corn and peas.