Spiced Carrot Chickpea Almond Pilaf Recipes

SPICED CARROTS

Steps:

• Quarter carrots lengthwise, then cut into 2 1/2-inch pieces.
• Heat butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté carrots, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add brown sugar, stirring until sugar is melted. Stir in water, lemon juice, salt, cinnamon, and cayenne and simmer, covered, until carrots are tender and liquid is reduced to a glaze, 8 to 10 minutes.

CHICKPEA & COURGETTE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a pan over a medium heat and cook the onion for 8-10 mins until softened. Add the garlic and spices, and cook for 2 mins more until fragrant. Tip in the rice and 450ml boiling water from the kettle along with the lemon zest and ½ tsp salt. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 20 mins, or until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is cooked through. This process can also be done in the oven: cook everything in a flameproof casserole and transfer to the oven once the rice and water has been added, covering and cooking for 20-25 mins at 190C/170C fan/gas 5.
• Heat the rest of the oil in a second pan over a medium-high heat and fry the courgette slices for 4 mins until slightly coloured and the edges are just softened. Stir in the chickpeas and cook for 2 mins more until warmed through. Season well.
• When the rice is cooked through, add half the lemon juice and fluff up the rice with a fork. Add the chilli flakes, if using, and chopped dill to the courgette and chickpea mixture. Season well. Stir in the remaining lemon juice and a splash more oil. Serve the rice with the courgettes.

CARROT PILAF WITH CORIANDER CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan that has a tight-fitting lid. Fry the onions with a pinch of salt over a medium heat for 10-15 mins until golden and crisp. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper, leaving the oil in the pan.
• Add half the ginger, half the chilli, all the garlic, spices, and both types of carrots to the pan, and fry for 6-8 mins until the carrot slices are starting to turn golden. Add the rice, stir briefly, then add the stock, a handful of the coriander, a good pinch of salt and grinding of black pepper. Bring to a simmer, and as soon as it starts to boil, turn the heat down to low, cover with a lid and leave to cook for 12-15 mins.
• Meanwhile, put the remaining ginger and green chilli, most of the cashews and most of the remaining coriander in a small blender with 50ml water. Blend until smooth, adding another 2-3 tbsp water, if needed, to make a spoonable sauce.
• When all the liquid has been absorbed into the pilaf and the rice is tender, fluff up the grains with a fork. Spoon over the coriander chutney, and sprinkle with the fried onions, reserved coriander and remaining cashews to serve.

SPICED CARROTS

Steps:

• Stir carrots, wine, margarine, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger together in a saucepan; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, adding more wine as necessary, until carrots are tender, about 30 minutes.
• Stir raisins and brown sugar into carrot mixture. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook until carrots are glazed and flavors combine, about 15 minutes.