Spicy Vegetable Pilau With Cucumber Raita Recipes

Steps:

• Chop the garlic for the pilau and set aside. Finely grate the garlic for the raita and put in a bowl. Heat the oil for the pilau in a large open pan, and fry the onion and ginger for 5 mins until softened. Stir in the whole and ground spices, and cook for a few secs to release their aromas. Add the chilli, red pepper and freekeh, stir briefly, then tip in the stock and sultanas. Simmer for 15 mins until the freekeh is tender but still nutty, adding the chopped garlic for the final 2 mins. The stock should have reduced and absorbed into the freekeh now.
• Meanwhile, finish the raita by stirring the yogurt, cucumber and mint into the grated garlic.
• When the pilau is cooked, stir in the coriander and cashews, and serve with the raita.

Steps:

• Wash rice by rinsing in cold water. Then soak in cold water for about 30 minutes. Drain.
• In a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add onion and cook, stirring, until onion is tender. Add garlic, and saute for about a minute. Add cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Saute for another minute and add the rice. Saute until rice is translucent and begins to brown. Add water, bay leaf and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partly covered, for about 10 minutes. Most of the water will evaporate and steam holes will show through rice.
• Add peas, but do not stir. Cover tightly and let simmer for 5 minutes more. Turn off the heat and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, covered.
• Prepare the raita: In a bowl whisk together the yogurt, cucumber, mint, cumin, chili powder and salt and pepper.
• Uncover the pilaf, season with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf, cloves and cinnamon stick. Turn pilaf out onto a serving platter and pour half of the raita over rice. Pass remaining raita.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put the rice in a sauté pan with the turmeric, coriander, cardamom, ginger, bay leaves and chilli. Pour in 300ml water and add the bouillon and creamed coconut. Bring to the boil, cover the pan and leave to simmer for 15 mins. Add the chickpeas with their liquid (and a little more water if necessary), then cook, covered, for 10 mins more.
• Meanwhile, toss the cauliflower, red pepper and onion in the oil with the cumin seeds. Spread out on a baking sheet and roast for 20 mins until the vegetables are tender and a little charred around the edges.
• While the cauliflower and rice cook, make the raita by mixing together the yogurt, cucumber and chopped mint.
• When the cauliflower and rice are tender (the stock should be absorbed by now), toss the two together, scatter with the mint leaves and serve with the raita on the side.