Christmas pilau

 This festive pilau is packed with festive flavors, and it's the perfect way to celebrate Christmas. It's easy to make, and it's sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

This is a vegan rice but you can add chicken broth if needed .Another important tip is that you can also cook rice in the oven after adding masala .  This technique is commom in pilafs .However you can also cook in the same time .Make the masala at home . That masala is not garam masala and it called pilau masala .

Preparation time ; 30 minutes 

Serves ; 2 

1 cup of long grain rice 

1 tbsp olive oil

1 chopped small  onion

15 g chopped ginger and garlic 

2 tbsp pilau masala ,recipe below 

1/4 cup of raisins and nuts

1/4 cup of coconut milk

1 to 1 1/2 cup of chicken broth or vegetable broth for vegan 

1/2 tsp salt

a liittle saffron or turmeric 

1tbsp coriander leaves 

Heat oil and fry onions with rice .When rice is shiny add ginger and garlic . Fry until they are tender .

Add saffron or turmeric .Mix broth with coconut milk and add to rice . Preheat oven to 350 F if need want to bake in oven.

Cook  covered until rice is cooked .Then add raisins and nuts and coriander . Also add 2 tablespoons of masala .

Cook in oven or in the same pot until rice is fully cooked

Homemade pilau masala 

For about 3/4 cup 

1/4 cup cumin seeds (whole)

1 tbsp cardamom pods 

1 1/2  tbsp black peppercorns

2  cinnamon sticks

1 tbsp cloves (whole) 

 

Heat a pan under medium heat.

To the pan, add the cumin seeds, cardamom seeds, black peppercorn seeds, cinnamon sticks and cloves.

Reduce the heat to a low and roast the spices, stirring continuously until fragrant.

 Transfer the roasted pilau masala spice mix to a bowl and allow to cool.

Next, transfer the now cooled spice mix to your blender, spice grinder or coffee grinder and mix until you obtain a powder.