Vegetarian Epicures Pilau Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the butter or ghee in a large pot and saute the onions and bay leaf until the onions begin to color,.
• Add the cloves, cinnamon and ginger and stir over medium heat for a minute, then add all the prepared vegetables. the rice, and the saffron.
• toss over medium heat for about 5 minutes, then add the water and salt.
• Bring the water to a boil, turn the heat down to low, cover the pot tightly, and cook for 25 to 30 minutes.
• All the water should be absorbed.
• Add the cashews and raisins and gently mix everything together.
• spoon the mixture into a large well-buttered casserole, cover and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
• Serve the pilau steaming hot from the casserole.

Steps:

• Chop the garlic for the pilau and set aside. Finely grate the garlic for the raita and put in a bowl. Heat the oil for the pilau in a large open pan, and fry the onion and ginger for 5 mins until softened. Stir in the whole and ground spices, and cook for a few secs to release their aromas. Add the chilli, red pepper and freekeh, stir briefly, then tip in the stock and sultanas. Simmer for 15 mins until the freekeh is tender but still nutty, adding the chopped garlic for the final 2 mins. The stock should have reduced and absorbed into the freekeh now.
• Meanwhile, finish the raita by stirring the yogurt, cucumber and mint into the grated garlic.
• When the pilau is cooked, stir in the coriander and cashews, and serve with the raita.