Plain Pilau

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups rice, long-grain
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 8 cardamom pods, seeds only
• 1/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 cup peas
• 4 cups hot water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Recipe

• 1 melt the butter in a large, fireproof casserole and fry the rice in it over low heat until it just starts to color.
• 2 add the cinnamon and the crushed cardamom seeds; stir and continue frying for a minute or two.
• 3 add the remaining ingredients and stir briefly.
• 4 bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat, cover the casserole tightly, and let the rice steam for about 20 minutes.
• 5 all the water should be absorbed and the rice just tender but not mushy.