Cardamom Coconut Pilau Recipes

COCONUT BASMATI PILAF

Steps:

• Rinse the rice in a strainer under cold water until water runs clear. Drain well and transfer to a large saucepan with 1 1/2 cups cold water, cardamom, ginger, cilantro, salt and coconut milk. Let soak for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
• Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Stir a few times to keep rice grains from clumping. Cook uncovered, rapidly boiling, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the surface is covered with steamy holes, about 6 minutes. Reduce heat as low as possible and cook, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove and discard the cilantro sprig, cardamom and ginger.

GOAN COCONUT-MILK PILAF

Steps:

• Dry-roast the coconut in a small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, but just barely darker in color, 1 to 2 minutes. Cool and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the cinnamon, cloves and cardamom pods and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the onion (and ground cardamom, if using) and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Mix in rice, coconut milk, 1 * cups water and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan and cook until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest for about 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish, mix in the coconut, vindaloo powder (or garam masala) and cilantro.

LAMB, COCONUT & MANGO PILAU

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Heat the oil in a large, shallow ovenproof pan, tip in the lamb, then fry on a high heat for 5 mins until browned all over. Take out of the pan and set aside. Fry the onions in what's left of the oil for 5 mins, until starting to soften and turn golden at the edges. Tip in the garlic and curry powder and fry for 1 min more until toasty and aromatic.
• Stir the lamb back in to the pan along with the chilli, coconut milk and stock, then bring to the boil. Cover the pan and place in the oven for 1 hr, until the lamb is completely tender. Alternatively, you can simmer the pan on a low heat for 1 hr on the hob.
• Season to taste, stir in the rice, re-cover pan, then return to the oven or hob for 30 mins until all the liquid has been absorbed. Take off the heat, leave to stand, covered, for 10 mins, then fluff the rice with a fork. Sprinkle with the mango, coriander and almonds, if using, then serve straight from the pan.

SPICED PRAWN & COCONUT PILAF

Steps:

• Cook the rice according to pack instructions, then set aside. Put the ginger, garlic and tomatoes into a food processor, blend to make a paste, then set aside until you're ready to cook.
• Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan and add the whole spices. Once they sizzle, add the onion, frying over a medium heat for about 10 mins until soft. Add the ground spices and paste, then cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally until the sauce has released the oil back into the pan. Add the prawns, then cook for a few mins until cooked through - the mixture should be quite dry and paste-like.
• Stir the cooked rice into the pan to coat it well in the spices. Make sure the rice is heated through, then serve scattered with the coconut.