How to Make Indian Rice (Pulao) - A Step-by-Step Guide

Indian cuisine is known for its bold flavors, aromatic spices, and rich culinary tradition. One of the most popular and versatile dishes in Indian cooking is the Pulao, also known as Pilaf. This dish is made with fragrant Basmati rice, a variety of spices, and often includes vegetables, meats, or seafood. The result is a flavorful and satisfying one-pot meal that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a variety of Indian dishes.

The process of making Pulao is relatively simple, but ...

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Ingredients

  • ¼ teaspoon saffron threads or ground turmeric
  • 6 cups boiling water
  • ½ cup vegetable shortening
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 2 (1 inch) pieces cinnamon stick
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 10 cardamom seeds
  • 4 ½ cups long-grain white rice
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons salt

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Servings: 16
  • Yield: 16 servings

  • Place saffron threads into boiling water, set aside to steep.
  • Melt the vegetable shortening in a large pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the onions, and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Season with cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, cumin, garlic powder, and cardamom seeds. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes to release the flavor, stirring constantly.
  • Pour in the rice and cook for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the yogurt, saffron water, and salt. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover pot with a cloth folded into 4 layers. Place a lid over the cloth and cook until the rice is done, about 20 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and cardamom seeds before serving.
  • Nutrition

    267 cal.

    • Total Fat: 7g
    • Saturated Fat: 2g
    • Cholesterol: 1mg
    • Sodium: 307mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 45g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 2g
    • Protein: 5g
    • Vitamin C: 1mg
    • Calcium: 56mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 133mg