Easy Pilau Rice

[tinkerbells]

Hi there everyone.
Does anyone out there know an easy recipe for Pilau Rice - to taste like the Indian restaurants but without those black bits which taste like perfrume?! (Are they the cardamon seeds) As you can see, I am new to Indian cuisine!!! Looked up one recipe but needed saffron which costs an arm and a leg so a cheap and easy version would be much appreciated. THANKS!

[funnygirl]

I cook my basmati rice with a pinch of turmeric to turn it yellow.
When the rice is nearly done cooking, add any extras and vegetables, like peas, raisins and seasonings. I like cumin and add just a little.

[-=BigD=-]

as mentioned add a pinch of turmeric to turn it yellow.
I normally add a clove of garlic and a couple of bay leaves and curry leaves if to hand while the rice is cooking.
I think the black bits are either crushed cloves or black cumin seed? Also I've seen cardamon pods added (very pungent if bitten).

[-=BigD=-]

If you want to impress your dinner guests (or is that bore) here's a bit of info on "Pilau" rice from wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilau_rice
there are some recipe links at the bottom.

[ethandron]

or you could add a knorr pilau stock cube to the water while you're cooking it. tastes really nice, is cheap and easy.

[nosey nora]

dear tinkers the perfume taste is cloves try putting them in a small muslin sack to boil with the rice and add some turmeric also, this will colour the rice and add flavour

[tinkerbells]

Thank you all SO much!!! Am going to try each and every one of these ideas!! xxxxxxx

[markychef]

half litre water one chicken stock cube, 2 tsp turmeric gives a nice colour, grind in mortar 2 cardomun pods and 3 cloves add 3 strands of saffron if you havent got any dont worry it will still taste nice just boil the rice simmer and reduce perfect pilau rice without the black bits