Saffron Pilau

Serves: 8

Ingredients

400g basmati rice wash and drain

1 pinch saffron

1 litre boiling water

3 cloves

1/2 cinnamon stick

1/2 tsp cardamom seeds

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1 pinch chilli flakes

1 tbsp sunflower oil

2 onions, chopped – plus an extra 3 onions sliced, for frying for garnish

pinch salt

1 tbsp chopped coriander

Method

Preheat the oven 190C.

Wash the basmati rice and leave to drain in a sieve.

Put the saffron in a small bowl and take 2 tbsps of the boiling water and pour it over the saffron and leave to sit for 10 minutes.

Dry fry the spices for a minute until fragrant, decant into a bowl.

In a large frying pan, fry the onion in the sunflower oil until golden brown. In a deep metal roasting tray mix together the rice, chopped fried onion with the spices and salt. Pour the boiling water & saffron water over the rice. Cover the tray tightly with foil and put into the oven for 30-40 minutes.

Fry the sliced onion until golden brown for the topping.

Check the rice is cooked and all the water has been absorbed

Put into a serving bowl and mix through the fresh coriander

Top with extra crispy fried onions for garnish