Orange pilaf
Posted in Featured Articles, Indian, One-dish meal, chicken, fruits, nuts, rice
Beside apples, oranges are the most common imported fruit that my mom usually used to buy for the family when I was a child. But, I disliked oranges then, as more often than not they weren’t sweet but rather sour. I thought I was the only one who had this bias against oranges until I discovered that my hubby also disliked oranges. Maybe, we might also have influenced our son who also didn’t show much interest eating this fruit. So much for parental influence! But, we knew that it’s a good source of vitamin C and need to change our mindset on oranges.
Luckily, I came to know an honest fruit seller at the nearby wet market. He would tell me if the oranges he was selling are sweet or otherwise. Not surprising, freshly cut orange has since become our number one choice as a thirst quencher. Our son, with parental influence and encouragement, has also learned to accept oranges as well. He can eat a few thinly sliced oranges without fuss, which is really a great improvement for him.
Now, getting back to this Middle Eastern inspired pilaf which I bookmarked from my son’s bi-monthly school magazine, I was intrigued by the use of orange zest and orange juice that give the dish a taste of “sunshine”. Infused with the scent of orange, the rice itself is so aromatic and flavourful. The black and golden raisins, as well as almond flakes used in the dish greatly compliment the basmathi rice. We love basmathi rice because of its fluffy and not starchy texture. All said, the combination of ingredients made the rice dish look so eye-pleasing and appetizing! Every time I cooked this orange pilaf, my husband and son would ask for an encore. In fact, I cooked it a couple of times during the recent June school holidays. My son enjoyed this rice dish so much that he didn’t mind to have it for lunch and dinner.
The recipe that you find in page 2 was modified to cater to my family’s taste buds. I substituted ground cinnamon with cinnamon stick, as well as reduced the quantity of cloves and cardamom pods used. I also didn’t crack the cardamom pods. By doing so, the smell and taste of these spices were not too overpowering and more kid-friendly. The addition of chicken meat and green peas made it a perfect one-dish meal for the family too. It can also be packed well into lunch boxes so your kids can have a delicious and healthy meal at school.
>>> Click on PAGE 2 BELOW for orange pilaf recipe ……………
50 Comments
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I always wonder how does pilaf taste like. Is it something similiar to what is served at Fish & Co? Yours looks so tempting and yummy. I like the colours of this dish.
Evelyn: So sorry, I haven’t tried the food at Fish & Co. Hehehe! Maybe they serve paella not pilaf. Just my wild guess! Thanks for your compliment!
This is so beautiful. I love orangy taste. I would like to try this over the coming weekend. thanks for sharing….
Ellena: Thanks! Happy trying and looking forward to your feedback!
Your pilaf looks so tempting!
Angie: Thanks!!
Where can I buy cardamom pods? Can I omit it? Is it possible to use only orange juice and omit the zest? I am a lazy person…. Thanks for the recipe.
Juhuacha: You can find it in the Indian grocery stall, supermarket (dried food/ herbs), wet market (Indian stalls) and Chinese medicine shop (sometimes). Usually all these Indian spices ie cardamom, clove, cinnamon, tumeric powder etc are sold at the same place. You can omit the zest if you don’t mind to let go of the orange scent which is very aromatic. Maybe you can make julienned orange zest for half of the orange instead of one. Let me know how it turns out. Happy trying!
I’m super picky about oranges as well. I like them, but on my terms. This pilaf looks fantastic though! I love the varied flavors and ingredients in it.
Joanne: Oh, another picky for orange! High five! Thanks so much for your sweet words!
at first I thought it is briyani rice with that bright orange hue … love the interesting orange flavour and I’m sure I will like it. Serve 7-8 ar … I think you must change to serve 4 if serving me, I’ll go for many helpings
Noobcook: Yes, you are right. It is quite close to briyani. I love all kinds of yellow rice. Happy trying!
Wow! What a healthy and hearty one pot dish! I heart this recipe as it is full of orange fragrant… can’t wait to let Sean try it. He loves orange!
Alice: I’m sure Sean will enjoy this pilaf because his mama put in all her love, tender and care.
Try Navel orange, it’s always sweet.
Little Inbox: Thanks for the suggestion. I still don’t have the skill in picking those sweet oranges.
I love the colors and everything else.
LCOM: Thanks so much for your sweet words!!
Wow, I don’t have to taste this to know that it is GOOD!
Meldylocks: You’re so kind with words!! Thanks!!!
great orange flavor , we love citrus infused meals..yummy
sweetlife
Sweetlife: Yeah, I totally agreed with you after making this citrus infused rice dish.
The colour of this dish is very vibrant and tempting. I’d like to try basmathi rice. It seems to be very good to have a try after your description.
Christine: Yes, it is very nice. If you can find basmathi rice, give this recipe a try.
wow this is such an attraction rice, definitely my kids will love this!
BBO: Oh yeah, it is a kid-friendly version. Hope your kids will love it!
this looks gorgeous, even the adult like myself would love have a plate of this rice!
Sidney Kan: Thanks!! Glad you like it.
Love the addition of orange zest in there. I can try that
Thanks for the idea…cos I love yellow rice too and not a big fan of oranges…
Tigerfish: Oh yeah, you’re the right candidate to try this recipe. Hope you will like it and will love eating oranges in future like us. LOL!
LK: Such a gorgeous dish! And a great idea. I love it. I think maybe I’ll try this when I next host. And I think it’s hilarious that you found a middle eastern pilaf recipe in your son’s school magazine!!??
Clare: Thanks! Thanks! Hope you will like it. Actually it is a bi-monthly issue family magazine which includes some kid-friendly recipes. Hahaha! Sorry for the confusion.
I really like pilafs, and I love how you’ve made this one into a whole meal! The orange flavor in it sounds great too.
Lisa: Thanks for your compliments! Glad you like this rice dish.
Good to start children young to learn to enjoy and appreciate flavours and textures of food.
Jason Wong: Yes, everything must start from young.
Hey! This is something really very different. Cool. I want to try!
Dora: Oh great! Give it a try if you like orange scented rice dish. Happy trying!
I love your orange pilaf….especially with the addition of cinnamon & cardamom The zest also adds a really nice touch. Glad to hear you guys have found a way to enjoy oranges! xo
Maria: Thanks! It’s our favourite rice dish now.
This pilaf looks awfully good and I totally love the colours of the entire rice dish.
Jo: Thanks!! Oh yeah, my son and I love the colour too!
This looks so yummylicious. Will try out myself. Keep it up.
Melanie: Thanks for your kind comment and words of encouragement!! Happy trying and looking forward to hearing your feedback!
It looks colourful enough to attract kids.
Cariso: Yes, hope it will entice the kids to try this dish.
This is really a great recipe. I cooked it this evening for dinner and turned out to be very yummy. My husband, children, mom-in-law and my guests love it. I added fish cake. Instead of just green peas, i added mixed vege, it turned out to be so colourful and tempting for everyone. Thanks for sharing.
Melanie: Wow!! You’re such a creative cook!! With all those extra ingredients you added, I’m sure it must be very very colourful and tasty. Thanks so much for your kind feedback and glad that everyone in your family (included your guests) enjoyed this one dish meal.
Bet this is just lovely with all that orange goodness and warm cinnamon notes. Me thinks this might be perfect with the lamb leg I’m cooking this weekend, too.
Carolyn Jung: Oh yeah, lamb is a perfect choice for this rice dish. Hope you will like it. Happy trying!