This Rice Pilaf Is A Perfect Meal On Its Own Or Serve It Alongside All Of Your Favourite Curries.

This simple rice pilaf recipe uses cheap everyday ingredients; you should already have most of them in your pantry. If you want to serve this rice pilaf with a curry (the perfect partnership), I recommend not cooking the spiced beef mix and doing it alone. 

Pilaf is the method by which rice is cooked, having a wide range of flavours and spices, including dried fruits and nuts. This dish also includes a delicious spiced beef mix that can be folded through the rice pilaf or served on top.

If you want to serve this rice pilaf with a curry (the perfect partnership), I recommend not cooking the spiced beef mix and doing it on its own. Please enjoy this rice pilaf recipe, the flavours are incredible, and it’s worth trying if you’ve never eaten it before.

Rice Pilaf

4.67000 from 3 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Calories: 642kcal
Servings: 4 People

Ingredients

Rice Pilaf

  • 28 g Clarified Butter
  • 1 Brown (Yellow) Onion Sliced
  • 2 Garlic Cloves Minced
  • 3 g Cumin Seeds
  • 2 g Caraway Seeds
  • 1 g Ground Turmeric
  • 200 g Basmati Rice Washed
  • 400 ml Chicken Stock
  • 3 Dried Bay Leaves
  • 50 g Currants or Raisins
  • 5 g Coriander (Cilantro) Chopped
  • Salt & Pepper To Taste

Spiced Beef

  • 14 g Clarified Butter
  • 500 g Beef Mince 10% Fat
  • 6 g Curry Powder
  • 80 ml Sweet Chilli Sauce
  • 60 ml Hot Water
  • 2 Spring Onions (Scallions) Roots & Stems Chopped
  • 100 g Frozen Peas
  • 5 g Coriander (Cilantro) Chopped
  • Salt & Pepper To Taste

Garnish

  • Coriander (Cilantro)
  • Spring Onion (Scallion)

Method

Rice Pilaf

  • Place a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add the ghee, and allow it to melt. Add the onion, garlic, cumin seeds, caraway seeds, and turmeric. Sauté for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Add the washed rice, mix to combine, and toast for 1 minute, mixing regularly. Add the chicken stock, bay leaves, and seasoning to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and cook for 12 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat, leave the lid on, and let sit for a further 5 minutes, undisturbed. Remove the lid, discard the bay leaves, and add the currants (or raisins) and coriander. Mix to combine, check the seasoning, and serve.

Spiced Beef

  • Place a large high-rimmed pan over high heat. Add the ghee and allow it to melt. Add the beef mince and fry for 5 minutes, moving it around frequently, until well browned all over and cooked through to an internal temperature of at least 71°C (160°F).
  • Add the curry powder, mix well, and cook for 1 minute. Add the sweet chilli sauce, hot water, spring onion root, ¾ of the coriander, and frozen peas. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until slightly thickened and the peas are heated through.
  • Serve the spiced beef over the rice pilaf, or mix them together, garnished with the reserved coriander leaves and green stem spring onion. Dig in.
Chef's Tips
Toast the rice in the ghee and spices for the full minute before adding stock — this coats every grain in fat and spice, which is what separates a real pilaf from plain steamed rice.
Brown the beef mince properly before adding the curry powder — a good sear builds a base of flavour that the sauce alone can't replicate.
Don't skip discarding the bay leaves before serving — they're there purely for flavour and aren't meant to be eaten.
Storage & Reheating
This will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months, in separate airtight containers for the rice and beef. Reheat gently in the microwave or a pan until piping hot throughout, adding a splash of water or stock if the rice has dried out slightly.
Serving 380gCalories 642kcalCarbohydrates 73.5gProtein 33.3gFat 23.8gSaturated Fat 10.7gPolyunsaturated Fat 1.33gMonounsaturated Fat 8.63gTrans Fat 1.2gCholesterol 96.9mgSodium 571.6mgPotassium 801.2mgFiber 4.6gSugar 22.7gVitamin A 357IUVitamin C 17.77mgCalcium 84.8mgIron 6.8mg

The above nutrition guide is based on daily averages and is calculated for a single portion.

Recipe Notes

Rice Pilaf Storage Instructions

The rice pilaf can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and freezer, making it a perfect recipe in batches. In the refrigerator, it will last 3 days with full flavour and up to 6 months in the freezer. 

Rice Pilaf Reheating Instructions

From fresh, the rice pilaf can either be placed into a saucepan with a splash of chicken stock or into the microwave and heated in batches. From frozen, ensure it’s fully thawed in the fridge overnight and follow the above instructions. 

Spiced Beef Storage Instructions

The spiced beef can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 4 months. 

Spiced Beef Reheating Instructions

From fresh, heat the spiced beef gently in a pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until completely hot. From frozen, ensure it’s fully thawed in the fridge overnight and follow the above instructions. 

Can I Mix Them Together?

This recipe is delicious and mixed together. If you want to do this, add the rice to the beef right after the rice has finished cooking and mix well. The rice will take on an incredible flavour from the spiced beef creating one incredibly flavoursome dish. 

Watch How To Make The Recipe

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4.67 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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