Pilou Rice

Pilou Rice:

• 5 tbsp vegetable oil
• 650g white onions, thinly sliced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 8 black peppercorn
• 5 cloves
• 2.5cm cinnamon
• 5 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 3.5cm ginger, roughly chopped
• 2 green chillies
• 3 tbsp softened butter
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds, coarsely crushed
• ¼ tsp mild chilli powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp garam masala powder
• 350g potatoes, cut into quarters
• 3 tbsp Greek yogurt or thick natural yogurt, whisked
• 600ml water or vegetable stock
• 350g cauliflower, cut to florets
• 250g basmati rice
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish
Heat the vegetable oil on a medium heat and add 400g of the onions. Fry for 25-30 minutes stirring every few minutes. As they begin to turn golden brown drain the fried onions on kitchen paper and set aside.
Coarsely crush the whole spices in a pestle and mortar and set aside.
Blend garlic, ginger and chilli to a fine smooth paste with a splash of water.
Heat butter in a large heavy bottom sauce pan on medium heat until it foams.
Add the crushed coarse spices and fry for 20 seconds. Add the remaining onions and stir well frying for 12-14 minutes. Now add the garlic, ginger and chilli paste and fry for a minute. Add the coarse crushed coriander seeds, mild chilli powder, turmeric powder and garam masala. Add a splash of water, scrape the bottom of the pan stir well and fry for 20 seconds.
Add the potatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
Taking the pan off the heat add the yogurt stir well and put it back on a low heat. Add half the amount of water or stock and simmer with the lid on for 4 minutes. Stir well, season to taste and add the cauliflower florets. Continue simmering with the lid on for 5 minutes.
Now add the rice, a handful of fried onions and the remaining water. Put the heat up to medium and cook for 8 minutes without the lid. Turn the heat back to a low setting and continuing cooking with the lid on for 14-15 minutes. Turn the heat off and let the pilaf rest.
Leave the pilaf to cool slightly for 20 minutes before you open the lid.
Serve with the fried onions for garnish and some fresh coriander.

Prepared by:
Ivonne Nathan
Culinary Skills Teacher
Trade Skills and Vocational Learning
Canberra Institute of Technology

For further information on courses in culinary
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