Food

Does anyone know how to make a really good traditional Pilaf/Pilau?

Ideally someone from a country than ends with "an". Im Bengali myself, and sure we are the kings of curry. But our versions of it are bollocks. Plus I cant even get that right. I suck at cooking rice, add the whole ghee thing to the mix and I create a mess everytime.

There is certain flavourings in good versions that I dont even recognise, and subtlety too.

Rice cookers make it easier in my opinion.

So what is your areas (indian) speciality

No. You cannot cook a good pilaf in a rice cooker.

India, Bangladesh, it's all the same really innit?

My friend's Persian girlfriend made an amazing pilaf for Nowruz last year, I think the recipe was from in here:

http://www.najmiehskitchen.com/

http://www.najmiehskitchen.com/pdf/fol_ovenbakedrice.pdf

Although saying that it looked nothing like that ^ and had no chicken in, so maybe it was another Persian recipe book.

Persian Jewelled rice is a god amongst rice dishes.
Was going to suggest it, but its not quite the same as an indian pulao.
I'm still trying to master it. My mum makes it perfectly, and I've copied and watched her extensively, but no idea how she makes it so golden and perfect each time.