Indian Pilau
A fragrant, flavorful Indian pilau rice dish with spices, peas, raisins, and cashews, perfect for a comforting and aromatic meal suitable for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 tsp. minced ginger ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. ground cumin ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. ground coriander ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes ⓘ
- 1 c. uncooked long grain rice ⓘ
- 1 (13 3/4 oz.) can chicken broth ⓘ
- 1/2 c. water ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. turmeric ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 c. frozen green peas ⓘ
- 1/4 c. raisins ⓘ
- 1/4 c. chopped cashews ⓘ
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter or margarine over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion, minced ginger, ground cumin, ground coriander, cinnamon, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes.
- Add uncooked long grain rice and stir to coat with spices.
- Pour in chicken broth and water, then add turmeric and salt (if using). Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in frozen green peas, raisins, and chopped cashews. Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork and serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider incorporating spices like cardamom or bay leaves during cooking. If you're short on time, instant rice can be used, but adjust the cooking time accordingly. For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and add your choice of vegetables such as bell peppers or carrots for extra nutrition. Explore other Indian recipes to diversify your meals.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Indian Pilau as a standalone dish or alongside grilled meats or a refreshing cucumber raita for balance. It pairs beautifully with Chicken Curry With Bamboo Shoots or a simple salad to add freshness. For a more elaborate meal, consider serving it with naan or papadums for added texture.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water to prevent drying out and microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Alternatively, reheat in a saucepan over low heat, adding a bit of broth or water as needed.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Indian Pilau contains roughly 344 calories, with 7g protein, 43g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (81% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (31% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2112mg per serving (92% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pilau a day in advance. Just follow the recipe and store it in the refrigerator after cooling. Reheat gently before serving. The flavors may deepen overnight, making it even more delicious.
What can I substitute for cashews?
If you're allergic to nuts or prefer a different flavor, you can substitute cashews with sunflower seeds or toasted pumpkin seeds. These alternatives will still add a nice crunch without overpowering the dish.
Can I add protein to this pilau?
Absolutely! You can stir in cooked chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas during the last few minutes of cooking to add protein. Ensure that any meat is cooked beforehand to maintain food safety.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).