Pilaf rice with onions and raisins

Pilaf rice is a flavoursome rice dish that is cooked by first sautéing the rice in oil or butter, then simmering it in a seasoned broth until the liquid is absorbed.  It often includes ingredients such as onions, garlic and various spices, as well as additions like vegetables, meat, or nuts, depending on the regional variation.

Pilaf is popular in many cuisines, including Middle Eastern, Indian, Turkish, and Central Asian cooking.  A key feature of pilaf is that the grains remain separate and fluffy rather than sticky.

Preparation Time: 10 Mins

Cooking Time: 10 Mins

Total Time: 30 Mins

Ingredients

For 2 servings…

60 ml              Rice  - Basmati        

¼                   Onion  - chopped finely          

10 gms            Butter       

30 gms            Raisins      

1 pinch            Salt          

                     Stock  - chicken       

Method

Wash the rice in a sieve until the water runs clear.

Cook the onion in the butter in a saucepan, over a moderate heat, - stirring occasionally until it is translucent.

Add the raisons, rice, salt and enough stock to cover the rice by ½ cm.  Bring to the boil - stirring constantly.  Then cover with a lid.  Simmer very gently for 10 minutes.  Do not take off the lid, but take off the heat and leave for another 10 minutes.

Variations

The raisins can be replaced with currants.