Pilau Rice
Pilau Rice is a fragrant side dish of basmati rice cooked with ghee, onions, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin and coriander seeds. The TM7 grinds the whole spices fresh for maximum aroma, sautés the onions and simmers the rice to fluffy perfection, all hands-free in one bowl for authentic Indian flavour.
About this recipe
Pilau Rice Thermomix TM7 is the fragrant basmati side that turns any curry night into something special. Searching for pilau rice recipes that deliver fluffy, separate grains every time? This one relies on the all-in-one kitchen machine to do the tricky parts: the TM7 grinds whole cumin and coramom... cardamom pods fresh so their essential oils stay intact, sautés the onions in ghee until translucent, and then simmers the rice with gentle heat so nothing catches on the bottom. The cinnamon stick infuses the grains while coriander seeds add a citrusy, nutty note. Serve it alongside chicken tikka, lamb rogan josh or simply grilled vegetables for a quick weeknight dinner with genuine Indian flavour. Because everything happens in a single bowl, there is minimal washing up afterwards, and the hands-free cooking means you can focus on the main course while the rice steams itself to perfection.
Preparation tips
- Rinse the basmati rice in cold water until it runs clear before adding it to the mixing bowl; this removes excess starch and guarantees the fluffy, separate grains that make pilau rice so appealing.
- Grind the cumin, coriander seeds and cardamom just before sautéing so their volatile oils are at their peak; pre-ground spices lose aroma quickly and give a flatter flavour to the finished rice.
- Replace the ghee with a neutral oil for a lighter version, and add a handful of frozen peas in the final minutes for colour and sweetness that children particularly enjoy.
Recipe variations
- For a vegan pilau, swap the ghee for coconut oil, which adds a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon and cardamom while keeping every grain loose and aromatic.
- For a festive version, stir through toasted flaked almonds, sultanas and a pinch of saffron infused in a spoonful of warm water for a celebratory jewelled pilau worthy of any dinner party.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Weighing basmati rice directly in the bowl with the TM7 integrated scale guarantees the exact rice-to-water ratio for fluffy grains. [Precision Control]
- Grinding the cumin and coriander seeds fresh in the TM7 releases their essential oils for far more aroma than pre-ground spices. [Multi-Function]
- Chopping the onions evenly in the TM7 takes seconds and gives uniform pieces that turn golden in the ghee without burning. [Multi-Function]
- Heating the ghee with the cinnamon stick at precise TM7 temperature control infuses the fat gently without any scorching. [Precision Control]
- Steaming the soaked rice in the TM7 keeps every grain separate and light, leaving your hands-free to cook the curry. [Hands-Free]
Ingredients
- water
- basmati rice
- fine sea salt
- onions
- ghee
- cinnamon stick
- cardamom pods
- cumin seeds
- coriander seeds