Course Main Dish, North African Food, World Recipes
Cuisine Zanzibar
Ingredients
Pilau Masala, spice mix
1tspWhole Cumin seeds
1/2tspFresh ground peppercorns
1tspGround cardamom
1/4tspGround cloves
1/4tspGround cinnamon
Pilau Rice
All of abovePilau masala
2cupsChicken brothUse Vegetable broth for Vegetarian recipe
1cupCanned Coconut milk
Salt to taste
1cupBasmati rice
2tbspolive oil
1/2cupSliced Red Bell Pepper
1/4cupChopped Onion
1cloveCrushed garlic
1tbspMinced fresh ginger
Cubed chicken, ground beef, or chick peasOptional
Instructions
Masala
Mix all spice ingredients together and set aside.
Make the Pilau
In a bowl, mix the coconut milk with 1⁄2 cup of the broth.
Heat oil on medium heat in a large pot or skillet with lid, Add onions and bell pepper. Add your protein at this point if using. Cook until vegetables begin to soften. 2-3 minutes. Add in rice. Cook and stir until the translucent color of rice starts to turn opaque white.
Add garlic, ginger, and pilau masala. Cook and stir to "wake up" the spices (1 minute) and until garlic begins to soften and becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn it!
Add the coconut mixture to the rice. Cook and stir until most of this liquid is absorbed as you would risotto. When pan is almost dry, add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of the broth.
Cover the pot and turn heat down to low. Check the rice intermittently and add more broth or water if it seems dry. Cook 15-20 minutes or until rice is soft and liquid is absorbed.
Notes
You can use all ground spices if you don't have any whole spices. Substitute 1/2 tsp ground cumin for whole cumin, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper for peppercorns.