Sweet Cardamom and Clove Zanzibar Pilau Rice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Fragrant long-grain rice simmered with warm spices like cardamom and clove, inspired by Zanzibar’s rich spice heritage. This African-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs basmati rice, water, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 African cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 cups basmati rice
3.5 cups water
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium (150 g) onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 green cardamom pods
6 whole cloves
1 stick (2 inch) cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds

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Instructions

Step 1: Rinse 2 cups basmati rice under cold water until water runs clear. Soak rice in cold water for 30 minutes then drain.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced onion and sauté for 6 minutes until golden and caramelized.
Step 3: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 6 green cardamom pods, 6 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Add drained rice, 3.5 cups water, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp sugar. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and water absorbed.
Step 5: Remove from heat, let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork and gently stir in 1/4 cup raisins and 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds before serving as a fragrant side dish.