Spinach & pea pilau

Spinach & pea pilau

Adding veg to your rice really jazzes it up and is a great way to make sure you're getting your 5-a-day

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 6

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 5 mins

Cook time

Cook 10 mins

Vegetarian

Vegetarian

Method

  1. Thoroughly rinse the rice in a bowl or sieve with several changes of water until the water runs clear. Drain well. Heat a large pan on the stove, tip in the spices, then dry-fry for about 1 min until they are toasted (not burnt) and beginning to release their aromas. Tip the rice into the pan, stir well over the heat, then pour in 4 mugs of water and add 1 tsp salt.
  2. Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 8 mins until the rice is almost tender and the water has been absorbed. Stir in the spinach and peas, then cover and leave for 2 mins so the peas defrost and the spinach just wilts.
Try

5-a-day

Rather than serving a plain pilau with the chicken, boost your vegetable intake by adding some veg to the rice. It is also simpler than making an extra side dish.

Per serving

365 kcalories, protein 10g, carbohydrate 84g, fat 1 g, saturated fat 0g, fibre 2g, sugar 1g, salt 0.9 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, February 2007.

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Latest comments and suggestions

  • Binder photo Judys choice

    09 November 2007

    Judys choice commented on this recipe

    Will try it with one clove; couldn't face six of them.

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  • Binder photo neets

    27 January 2008

    neets commented on this recipe

    loverly rice, was easy to make and very fragrant, my husband and kids really loved it, i will be making this again.

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  • Binder photo Juliet

    03 February 2008

    Juliet commented on this recipe

    I served this with Ginger Chicken as you recommended - it was a great success with the whole family including my faddy 14 year who normally hates vegetables

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  • Binder photo nanasandie

    13 March 2008

    nanasandie rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I have made for friends on two different occasions and served it with spinach and rice pilau-it was delicious

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  • Binder photo Beth

    19 August 2008

    Beth rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Didn't have anying any spinach - but was really nice with just spices and peas.

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  • Binder photo Jo

    04 September 2009

    Jo rated and commented on this recipe

    3 stars

    I served this with the chicken jalfrezi from this months Olive Magazine and it was very nice. I normally steam rice and never do it in a saucepan and I did struggle. The rice was all stuck together in big lumps. Thankfully it tasted good but I did exactly as it states above. Any advice from anyone so it doesn't happen again?

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  • Binder photo hlnharrison

    28 August 2010

    hlnharrison rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Definitely only one clove for my taste. Nice and easy having the vegetables in with the rice.

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  • Binder photo Kuifke

    30 March 2011

    Kuifke rated and commented on this recipe

    3 stars

    Easy to make. Oriental taste.

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  • Binder photo susikav

    01 August 2011

    susikav rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I made this with my 'famous' Goan Fish Curry... fragrant and lovely.... my husband said, 'Don't put it away, I'll have some more later!'.... will make it a staple now...

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  • Binder photo susikav

    01 August 2011

    susikav commented on this recipe

    I made this with my 'famous' Goan Fish Curry... fragrant and lovely.... my husband said, 'Don't put it away, I'll have some more later!'.... will make it a staple now...

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    Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

  • Binder photo Ben

    15 March 2013

    Ben rated and commented on this recipe

    2 stars

    Didn't seem to be able to incorporate any of the flavours from the spices into the rice which meant it was a little bland. I too normally part boil and part steam basmati rice as it has a tendency to stick together otherwise, something which happened this time

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 6

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 5 mins

Cook time

Cook 10 mins

Vegetarian

Vegetarian

Healthy choice, low fat

Ingredients

  • 2 mugs basmati rice
  • 1 cinnamon stick , halved
  • 8 green cardamom pods
  • 6 cloves
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 100g fresh baby spinach , roughly shredded
  • 200g frozen peas
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Per serving

365 kcalories, protein 10g, carbohydrate 84g, fat 1 g, saturated fat 0g, fibre 2g, sugar 1g, salt 0.9 g

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