Golden spiced pilaf with crispy shallots
This dish is a sensation of textures and flavours, thanks to the crispy golden shallots, warming spices, crunchy nuts and soft fruits. You can serve it on its own with a bowl of yogurt, or alongside grilled veg, meat or fish.
SERVES 4-6 PREP 20 mins plus resting COOK 40 mins EASY V
250g basmati rice25g butter2 tbsp vegetable oil, plus1 onion, finely chopped2 garlic cloves, finely chopped1 tsp ground turmeric1 tsp ground cumin1 small cinnamon stick8 cardamom pods1 star anise1 lemon600ml hot vegetable or chicken stock, or 1 stock cube mixed with hot water from the kettle6 shallots, peeled, halved and thinly sliced50g nuts of your choice (we used a mixture of cashews, pistachios and flaked almonds)200g natural yogurtlarge pinch of saffron125g dried fruit of your choice, such as apricots, cranberries or raisinshandful of coriander, leaves picked
