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British Indian Restaurant Recipes - Starters & Side Dishes => Starters & Side Dishes => Rice (Plain, Pilau, Special, etc) => Topic started by: madmatt on July 26, 2011, 07:57 AM

Title: MadMatts Easy Pilau!
Post by: madmatt on July 26, 2011, 07:57 AM
Well, here goes, my Pilau rice recipe.

I have made this hundreds of times and it never fails to impress.It is originally Pat chapmans Perfect pilau recipe, but I have adapted it by adding/removing some ingredients to make what I believe is BIR rice!!Follow the recipe, using exact measurements and you will be on to a winner!!Enjoy ;D

Ingredients(Enough for 2 portions)

300g Basmati Rice
3 Tbs Ghee (Veg oil will do, but Ghee has a lovely nutty flavour)
3 Bay Leaves
1 or 2 Brown Cardamom(depending on size)
8 Green Cardamoms
10 Cloves
0.5 tsp Coriander Seeds
1 tsp Fennel Seeds
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1 tsp brown mustard seeds
2 Star Anise
3 pieces Cassia Bark(or cinnamon sticks)
600ml Boiling water
a pinch red/green food colouring(optional)

Method:-
1)Rinse rice a few times in a sieve until water runs clear, and leave to drain
2)Boil kettle!!
3)get all spices in a bowl
4)Heat ghee/oil in a heavy based pan, then add spices and stir for a few secs.The mustard seed will start to splutter.
5) add rice and stir to try and cover all grains in oil. (Keep gas/heat on max during the whole time)
6)Add 600 ml boiling water and stir.
7)Cover and set a timer for 4 minutes!!
8)when timer goes turn off gas/heat, take off lid and stir making sure there is no water left(There never is with me, but if so, keep on heat covered for another min)then add your colouring in 1 spot, re-cover and leave.

After 10 mins you will have perfect pilau, all cooked from scratch in 4 mins!!

I then give it another stir, picking all whole spices out.

 I guess you could use one of these spice ball things, but I never have so not sure if the flavours would get out as well??

Pics below!! Enjoy!!

 


Title: Re: MadMatts easy Pilau!
Post by: Tomdip on July 26, 2011, 08:17 AM
Hey Matt, the photos look good, (always nice to see some ghee)
Title: Re: MadMatts Easy Pilau!
Post by: madmatt on July 26, 2011, 08:21 AM
More Pics.
Title: Re: MadMatts Easy Pilau!
Post by: madmatt on July 26, 2011, 08:27 AM
The finished rice(With Cory Anders Korma)

Not sure if its clear in the photos, but the rice is really nice and fluffy, not sticky in any way, with a great flavour.
I have used this many times with Dipurajas Mushroom rice, and IMO it takes it to another level!!Fantastic.

MM
Title: Re: MadMatts easy Pilau!
Post by: madmatt on July 26, 2011, 08:29 AM
Hey Matt, the photos look good, (always nice to see some ghee) but I can't see any actual recipe?

 ::) Blimey-Give me chance mate!! am writing it up and modifying now!!

Recipe is there now!!

Enjoy- ;)
Title: Re: MadMatts Easy Pilau!
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on July 26, 2011, 09:14 AM
Four minutes : wow, that is seriously fast !  My best is 12 minutes, in the microwave on full power -- I shall definitely give yours a go.

** Phil.
Title: Re: MadMatts Easy Pilau!
Post by: curryhell on July 26, 2011, 09:59 AM
WOW - 4 minutes :o :o :o.  And what's better i could do this on my electric hob :D.  I'll give it a go MM.  That's a lot of spice for not a lot of rice !!!
Title: Re: MadMatts Easy Pilau!
Post by: loveitspicy on July 26, 2011, 11:25 AM
this looks ok Madmatt- i will give it a go

best, Rich
Title: Re: MadMatts Easy Pilau!
Post by: Razor on July 26, 2011, 11:48 AM
Hi MM,

Looks really good mate.  I currently use Kris Dhillons pilau rice recipe and it never lets me down but I would be willing to give yours a try.

With regards to the 4 minute cook guy's, Matt does ask you to let the rice rest for 10 mins with the lid on, so there will be some steaming going on for what, 5 mins?  So yes, 4 mins for the initial cook but possibly another 4-5 mins resting/steaming too.  9 mins in all, seems about right to me.

Ray :)
Title: Re: MadMatts Easy Pilau!
Post by: madmatt on July 26, 2011, 11:52 AM
Hope it works out for you all!!

Just keep the gas/heat on max so its a real rolling boil for the 4 minutes, with a tightly fitting lid and you should be fine.

As you can see from the pics, I use a heavy ceramic pot, but a le cruset heavy steel or similar should be fine.

Also, Ray is correct about the rest for a few mins, although on occasion I have served it almost immediately, and its been fine.

All the best

MM
Title: Re: MadMatts Easy Pilau!
Post by: Stephen Lindsay on July 26, 2011, 12:24 PM
I am making some curries tomorrow and I am going to give this a go - it looks great!
Title: Re: MadMatts Easy Pilau!
Post by: madmatt on July 27, 2011, 12:20 PM
Glad to hear it Stephen. Try and take/post pics!!

Hope it goes well

MM
Title: Re: MadMatts Easy Pilau!
Post by: loveitspicy on July 27, 2011, 12:47 PM
cant wait to here about the results Stephen - and look forward to some pic's - i havent had time yet to make the Pilau - yes i know you all shout but its "ONLY 4 mins!!"

Will be giving it a go in the next couple of days

best, Rich
Title: Re: MadMatts Easy Pilau!
Post by: coogan on July 27, 2011, 02:41 PM
Looks a lovely rice Matt. Great pics.

Cooked in 4 mins - I agree. I cook my pilau rice with similar ingredients just differently and with less hassle. In short 125g basmati rice soaked in cold water for 30 mins. Boil about a pint of water throw in a few cloves and green cardamoms, tbs fennel seeds and a cinnamon stick. Drain the soaked rice, chuck into boiling pan and cook for 4 mins. Rinse immediately in cold water to stop any further cooking. Add a sprinkle of saffron strands. Then when required re-heat in microwave for 90 secs. Stir and serve. Perfect tasty results every time.
 
bon pilau