🇰🇪 Kenya
Pilau recipe
A fragrant rice dish bursting with spices and flavor.
Ingredients
- 300 g basmati rice
- 50 ml vegetable oil
- 1 onion
- 3 garlic
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 1 carrot
- 100 g peas
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 600 ml water
How to make Pilau
- Rinse 300 g of basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear and then drain well.
- In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat until it's shimmering and ready to sauté the vegetables.
- Add 1 chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon of grated ginger to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the mixture is golden and fragrant.
- Stir in 1 diced carrot, 100 g of peas, 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, and 1 teaspoon of coriander powder, cooking for another 3-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the rinsed basmati rice, 600 ml of water, and 1 teaspoon of salt to the pot. Stir to combine everything well before boiling.
- Once the mixture reaches a boil, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the water has been absorbed.
- After cooking, remove the pot from heat and let it rest covered for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Fluff the pilau gently with a fork before serving warm, garnished as desired.
What is Pilau?
Pilau is a traditional dish from Kenya, simmered in one pot, and takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. It is built around basmati rice and peas. The recipe below uses 11 ingredients and is written out step by step.
How long does Pilau take?
At 45 minutes it is quicker than 69% of the 588 dishes in Copper's atlas. Copper's atlas has 20 dishes built on basmati rice. The method runs to 8 steps, the longest being 20 minutes.
Any tips for making Pilau?
Rinsing the rice is crucial for fluffy, separate grains.
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