Littlemafia's Mom Pilaf

Experience the comforting flavors of "Littlemafia's Mom Pilaf," a fragrant and hearty rice dish that brings traditional home cooking straight to your table. This recipe combines fluffy Basmati rice with the warm, aromatic spices of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and cumin, all sautéed in rich ghee or butter for an indulgent base. Packed with colorful, nourishing vegetables like carrots and peas, and simmered in chicken or vegetable stock, this pilaf achieves the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Easy to prepare in just 45 minutes, it’s an ideal choice for a family dinner or as an elegant side dish for gatherings. Garnished with fresh cilantro, this golden-hued pilaf is sure to be a standout on your plate. Perfect for fans of aromatic rice dishes like biryani or pulao, "Littlemafia's Mom Pilaf" will quickly become a cherished staple in your recipe collection.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Basmati rice
• 4 cups Chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium Carrot, diced
• 0.5 cup Peas, fresh or frozen
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Ghee or unsalted butter
• 1 piece Cinnamon stick
• 4 pods Cardamom pods
• 3 pieces Cloves
• 1 piece Bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the Basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak it in cold water for 20 minutes, then drain and set aside.

Step 2

Heat the ghee or butter in a large heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, bay leaf, and cumin seeds. Stir for 1-2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.

Step 4

Add the chopped onion and sauté until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the garlic, diced carrot, and peas. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Add the drained rice to the pan and stir gently to coat the grains with the spices and vegetables.

Step 7

Sprinkle the turmeric powder and salt over the mixture, then pour in the chicken or vegetable stock.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and let it simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.

Step 9

After 15 minutes, turn off the heat and let the pilaf sit, covered, for 10 minutes to allow the rice to finish steaming.

Step 10

Fluff the rice gently with a fork, remove any whole spices (cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, and bay leaf), and garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.

Step 11

Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy on its own as a simple yet satisfying meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1699.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	992.3

Total Fat 34.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 66.9mg	0%
Sodium 5879.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 145.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.9g	0%
Total Sugars 15.1g
Protein 29.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 277.5mg	0%
Iron 12.7mg	0%
Potassium 1227.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.6%

Protein: 11.6%

Carbs: 57.8%