Easy Pilau Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil (I use Canola)
• whole spices (1 tsp cumin, 4 cardamom pods, 3  whole cloves & 2 inch cinnamon stick)
• 500g (Ib) boneless meat (beef, pork or chicken)
• 2 medium potatoes cut into 8 lengthways
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic crushed
• Fresh ginger root, grated
• 1 teaspoon each ground cumin and coriander
• ½ teaspoon garam masala
• 6 tablespoons (⅓ cup) crushed tomato or passata
• 2 cups basmati rice, washed until the water runs clear and drained
• Salt to taste 
• 3½ cups water 

Instructions

1. Cook whole spices: Heat the oil over medium heat. Add the whole spices and cook until they begin to sizzle (do not burn them).
2. Cook the meat and potatoes: Add the meat, potatoes and cayenne pepper. Season with a little salt and stir-fry for 1 minute. Reduce the heat, cover the pot and let cook 15-20 minutes or until meat is tender and potatoes are cooked. (if it seems dry add a few tablespoons water).
3. Cook garlic, ginger and onions: Once the meat and potatoes are tender, add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute then add the onions and cook 5 minutes over low heat.
4. Cook ground spices and tomatoes: Now add the cumin, coriander and garam masala and cook 1 minute then add tomatoes and cook another 1 minute.
5. Cook the rice: Now add the rice and cook for 3 minutes, then add the water and salt to taste then bring to a rolling boil, stirring from time to time. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 12 minutes. During this time you should stir the rice at least 3 times. After 12 minutes switch off the heat and let rest 10 minutes before fluffing the rice and serving.

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