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Zanzibar pillau

Whole-spiced vegetable pilau finished with coconut milk and baked

Zanzibar's spiced pilau: rice cooked with onions, garlic, whole cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, peppercorns, cumin and nutmeg and plenty of vegetables, then finished with coconut milk and baked until fluffy. It's fragrant rather than hot. Garnish with grated coconut and serve hot with kachumbari or a curry.
Total time
75 min
Difficulty
medium
Serves
6
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Ingredients

Serves6

For the whole spices

To garnish

Method

0/8 done
  1. Step 1: Soak 12 oz basmati rice in water for 20 minutes and drain.

  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp oil and sauté 2 medium onions until tender.

    5 min
  3. Step 3: Add 3 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp black peppercorns, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 cardamom pod, 5 cloves and ½ tsp nutmeg with 1 tsp garlic paste, 2 tsp garam masala, 2 medium potatoes, 2 carrots, 7 oz shelled peas, 2 green chillies, 1 green pepper and 2 tsp salt.

  4. Step 4: Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring now and then.

    10 min
  5. Step 5: Add the drained rice and 2 cups boiling water and cook for 10 minutes, uncovered.

    10 min
  6. Step 6: Heat the oven to 350°F. Stir in 1 cup coconut milk and cook on a low heat, stirring occasionally, until the milk is absorbed.

    5 min
  7. Step 7: Cover and bake for 20 minutes, until the rice is fluffy and tender.

    20 min
  8. Step 8: Garnish with 3 tbsp fresh coconut and serve hot.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
390 kcal
Protein
8 g
Carbs
64 g
Fat
12 g
Fibre
5 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does zanzibar pillau take?
About 75 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 50 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
What can I use instead of basmati rice?
Any long-grain rice, same amount.
What can I use instead of medium onions?
2 shallots per onion.

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