Indian Pilaff with Peas Recipe

This fragrant, versatile rice dish can be served on its own or with a range of other Indian dishes, including several meat and vegetable curries, a yogurt dish, and chutneys. Garnish the pilaff with chopped fresh mint and coriander, if you like, or with roasted chili and coconut.

 

Ingredients

  • 1 onion, halved lengthways and sliced

  • 25 gram fresh root ginger, peeled and grated

  • 130 gram fresh peas, shelled

  • 350 gram basmati rice

  • 3 tbsp ghee or 2 tbsp vegetable oil and a little butter

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • 6-8 cardamom pods, crushed

  • 4 cloves

  • 1 tsp sugar

  • 1 tsp salt

 

Method

  • Rinse the rice and put it in a bowl. Cover with plenty of water and leave to soak for 30 minutes. Drain thoroughly.

  • Heat the ghee, or oil and butter, in a heavy pan. Stir in the cinnamon stick, cardamom and cloves. Add the onion, ginger and sugar, and fry until golden. Add the peas, followed by the rice, ad stir for 1 minute to coat the rice in ghee.

  • Pour 600ml water with the salt, stir once and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and allow the mixture to simmer for 15-20 minutes, until all the liquid has been absorbed.

  • Turn off the heat, cover the pan with a clean dishtowel and the lid, and leave the rice to steam for a further 10 minutes. Spoon the rice on to a serving dish. Serves 4.

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