Gordon Ramsay Pilau Rice Recipe 

This Gordon Ramsay-inspired pilau rice is full of warm spices like cardamom, turmeric, and cloves, making it a flavorful and aromatic side dish. It’s easy to make and pairs perfectly with curries, grilled meats, or roasted vegetables.

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 2 tsp unsalted butter
• 1 small onion 
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• 6 cardamom pods 
• 6 cloves
• 2 tsp turmeric
• 2 bay leaves
• 300 g (1 1/3 cups) dried basmati rice
• 600 ml (2 1/2 cups) boiling water

How To Make Pilau Rice Recipe?

1. Heat the oil and butter: Melt the butter with the oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Cook the onion: Add the finely diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft.
3. Toast the spices: Stir in the cumin seeds, cardamom pods, cloves, turmeric, and bay leaves. Cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.
4. Coat the rice: Add the basmati rice to the pan and stir well to coat it with the spices.
5. Add water and simmer: Pour in the boiling water, stir once, and bring it back to a boil. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat to very low, and cook for 20 minutes.
6. Fluff and serve: Turn off the heat and let the rice sit with the lid on for a few minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and remove the cardamom pods and bay leaves before serving.

Recipe Tips:

• Rinse the Rice: Always rinse the basmati rice in cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps the rice stay fluffy and not sticky.
• Use Fresh Spices: Make sure your cumin seeds, cardamom pods, and cloves are fresh. Old spices lose their aroma and won’t give the dish the bold flavor it needs.
• Cook the Onion Properly: Don’t rush cooking the onion. Let it soften fully to release its sweetness, which adds depth to the flavor of the rice.
• Don’t Lift the Lid While Cooking: Keep the lid on during the entire cooking process. Opening it will release steam and may leave the rice undercooked.
• Measure Water and Rice Exactly: Use the exact ratio of water to rice. Adding too much water can make the rice mushy, while too little will leave it undercooked.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Let the leftover pilau rice cool to room temperature first. Once cooled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 1 day to ensure freshness.
• Freeze: Let the pilau rice cool completely before spreading it on a tray to prevent clumping. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Add the rice to a pan with a splash of water or a small knob of butter. Heat on low, stirring occasionally, until fully warmed.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 326 kcal
• Total Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg
• Sodium: 32 mg
• Potassium: 188 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 66 g
• Dietary Fiber: 3 g
• Sugars: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g

Try More Gordon Ramsay Recipes:

• Gordon Ramsay Green Curry Rice Recipe 
• Gordon Ramsay Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
• Gordon Ramsay Chicken Broccoli Rice Noodles Recipe