Pilau Rice

1. Wash the rice 3 times, moving it around with your fingers. Cover it with warm water and 1 tsp salt and leave to soak for one hour.

2. Warm the butter in a saucepan. Add in all the spices and stir for a minute.

3. Drain the rice and add to the saucepan. Pour water in until it is about 1 cm above the top of the rice. Bring to the boil.

4. Add a pinch of salt and simmer with the lid on for 5 minutes.

5. After 5 minutes remove the lid and stir. Replace lid and simmer for a further 5 minutes. Then turn the heat off and leave or 3 minutes. (Ideally this should be done on an electric hob, but if gas, leave the heat on for an extra minute).

6. Remove the lid and add a knob of butter (if needed) and season (if needed).

Serve with your favourite Indian dish, or enjoy by itself.