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    Indian Rice Pilaf (Pulao)

    Yum

    Updated on January 29, 2021 By Shalini 4 Comments - This post contains affiliate links which means if you use them to make a purchase, I'll earn enough money to maybe buy me a lil' something - an ingredient, probably.

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    Indian Rice Pilaf is made by cooking fragrant basmati rice in Indian spices, raisins, and cashews.

    There are hundreds of different ways of making Pilaf and this recipe involves cooking the fragrant basmati rice in Indian spices, raisins, and cashews. But before I get on with the recipe, let me tell you the main difference between a Pilaf/Pulao and Biriyani.

    What is the difference between Pilaf, Pulao, and Biriyani?

    Pilaf and Pulao are more or less, the same. They are interchangeably used.

    Many often confuse between a Pulao and Biriyani. Both are, after all, rice and meat/vegetables. It is saddening to find restaurants mixing up the two dishes, serving one instead of the other.

    Pulao and Biriyani are as different as chalk and cheese. The main difference lies in their cooking method. When making a pilaf, the vegetables and/or meat is sauteed or par-cooked first, to which the rice is added and everything is cooked together.

    Whereas, a biriyani prefers a sort of layering method. The meat and vegetables are cooked with spices while rice is par-cooked separately. In a heavy bottom pan, the meat and rice are then arranged in layers and cooked on dum pukht, meaning slow-cooking in a dough-sealed utensil. Also, a Pilaf is much lighter when compared to a Biriyani for the latter is cooked with a whole lot of masalas.

    What goes in an Indian Rice Pilaf

    Let's talk about rice. The long grain basmati rice is the best rice for making rice pilaf. It has a subtle flavor and fragrance and goes well with the light pilaf.

    I have used ghee as the main fat since I feel it gives the dish a nice Indian touch. As for the dry spices, I have chosen a combination of green and black cardamom, cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon, and cumin seeds. Other than these, I've used garlic and ginger for additional flavor.

    You may also add nuts and dry fruits to this recipe and I've chosen cashews and raisins. You may also add pistachios or almonds and dried apricots or cranberries if you'd like to. For a more cooling and lingering effect, I've used a touch of mint leaves as well.

    | How to Make Carrot and Pea Pilaf

    How to make Indian Rice Pilaf

    I make this version of the rice pulao at least once a month, especially since it comes together in just a few minutes. Here's how I make this dish:

    1.Wash and rinse rice.
    2. Blend together garlic, ginger, green cardamoms, black cardamom, cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon, and cumin seeds.
    3. Heat oil in a pan and add a bay leaf and cumin seeds.
    4. To this, add sliced onions and saute until slightly browned.
    5. Add cashews and raisins. Mix well.
    6. Add the ground spice paste and saute until the raw smell of spices goes away.

    7. Add a little turmeric powder to it and mix well.
    8. Add the washed rice to this mixture and stir.
    9. Add mint leaves.
    10. Add water and cook covered until the liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked.

    Fluff with a fork and serve hot with a side of your choice.

    Indian Rice Pilaf Recipe:

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    Indian Rice Pilaf (Pulao)


    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    • Yield: 3 people 1x
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    Description

    A quick and easy rice pilaf flavored with aromatic Indian spices and seasonings.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 cups Rice
    • 2 tbsp Ghee
    • ½ tsp Cumin seeds
    • 1 Bay leaf
    • ½ cup Onion thinly sliced
    • 10 Cashews
    • 5-6 Raisins
    • A few Mint leaves
    • Salt to taste
    • ½ tsp Turmeric powder
    • 1.5 cups Water

    To Grind:

    • 4 cloves of Garlic
    • 1" piece of Ginger
    • 4 Green Cardamoms
    • 1 Black Cardamom
    • 2 Cloves
    • 3 Peppercorns
    • 1" piece of Cinnamon
    • ½ tsp Cumin seeds

    Instructions

    1. Wash and rinse rice.
    2. Blend together garlic, ginger, green cardamoms, black cardamom, cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon, and cumin seeds.
    3. Heat ghee in a pan and add a bay leaf and cumin seeds.
    4. To this, add sliced onions and saute until slightly browned.
    5. Add cashews and raisins. Mix well.
    6. Add the ground spice paste and saute until the raw smell of spices goes away.
    7. Add a little turmeric powder to it and mix well.
    8. Add the washed rice to this mixture and stir.
    9. Add mint leaves.
    10. Add water and cook covered until the liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked.

    Notes

    You may also cook the rice in a rice cooker. After adding water, transfer the entire mixture to the rice cooker and switch on the 'cooking' mode.

    Unlike the standard 1:1 ratio of cooking rice, I add only 1.5 cups of water for 2 cups of rice. I do not like rice to overcook and stick together.

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Category: Indian, North Indian, One Pot Meals, Rice, Veg
    • Cuisine: Indian

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    | Find Other Pilaf Recipes here

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    About Shalini

    Namaste! I'm Shalini, the blogger behind Something's Cooking(since 2014). I share only our best, family approved recipes with YOU because I've tried and tested every recipe published on this blog. You can find easy Keto, low-carb recipes, and authentic Indian recipes including South Indian (Kerala) foods. You can rest assured that Indian cooking will be made easy. Thanks for stopping by! I'm so happy you're here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jyothi Nair says

      August 02, 2014 at 8:28 am

      This looks Yum. 🙂

      Reply
      • shalzzzzz says

        August 02, 2014 at 8:30 am

        thanks a lot, Jyothi 🙂 Please stop by again!

        Reply
    2. beloome says

      August 02, 2014 at 4:16 am

      Lovely profile photo Shalini and a nice introductory post! And all the best for the new blog. It is a great start with pulao recipe.

      Reply
      • shalzzzzz says

        August 02, 2014 at 5:52 am

        Thanks, Beloo 🙂 Means a lot!!

        Reply

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