Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsFatima's CafePilau Recipe

Pilau Recipe

Inspired by Fatima's Cafe
Time45m
Serves4

Make Pilau Recipe in just 45m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

Spices

Method

Preparation

  1. 1

    Rinse the Rice

    Place the basmati rice in a bowl and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.

  2. 2

    Chop the Vegetables

    Finely chop the onion, garlic, and ginger. Peel and dice the carrot into small pieces.

Cooking

  1. 3

    Heat the Oil

    In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.

  2. 4

    Sauté Aromatics

    Add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.

  3. 5

    Add Spices

    Stir in the cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and cloves. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

  4. 6

    Add Vegetables

    Add the diced carrot and green peas to the pot. Stir well to combine and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

  5. 7

    Combine Rice and Water

    Add the rinsed basmati rice and water to the pot. Season with salt and stir to mix everything evenly.

  6. 8

    Cook the Pilau

    Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed all the water.

  7. 9

    Fluff and Serve

    Once cooked, remove the pot from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Then, fluff the pilau with a fork and serve hot.

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