Vegetables Recipes - Saffron Pilau

Ingredients

• 350 g/12 oz/1 1/2 cups basmati rice

• 100 g/4 oz/1/2 cup butter

• 250 ml/8 fl oz/1 cup plain yoghurt

• 1/2 cinnamon stick, broken into small pieces

• 2 cardamom pods, split at one side

• 6 cloves

• 30 ml/2 tbsp currants

• 15 ml/1 tbsp chopped pistachio nuts

• 15 ml/1 tbsp chopped cashew nuts

• 15 ml/1 tbsp caster (superfine) sugar

• 10 ml/2 tsp salt

• 15 ml/1 tbsp ground cumin

• 500 ml/8fl oz/2 1/4 cups boiling water

• 15 ml/1 tbsp saffron powder

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Method:

1. Wash and drain the rice thoroughly. Place in a casserole (Dutch oven) with the remaining ingredients and mix well.

2. Cover tightly and cook in the oven at 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6 for 10 minutes.

3. Reduce the heat to 150°C/300°F/gas mark 2 and cook for a further 40 minutes or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.

4. Fluff up with a fork and serve hot.