Leftover rice has never looked so tempting. Pilau Rice Seasoning gives these rustic little cakes warmth and colour; a hot frying pan creates deeply crisp edges while the centres stay soft and fluffy. Pilau Rice Seasoning makes the aromatic base easy to get right.

At a Glance

• Prep: 20 minutes plus chilling
• Cook: 20 minutes
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 300g cooked, completely cooled basmati rice
• 1 tbsp Pilau Rice Seasoning
• 100g frozen peas, defrosted and lightly crushed
• 3 spring onions, finely sliced
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander or parsley
• 2 medium eggs, beaten
• 40g plain flour or gluten-free plain flour
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil, for frying
• 150g plain yoghurt
• 1 tbsp finely chopped mint
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Cucumber and tomato salad, to serve

Method

1. Place the cold rice in a large bowl. Add the Pilau Rice Seasoning, peas, spring onions, herbs, eggs and flour, then mix thoroughly.
2. With damp hands, press the mixture firmly into 8 small, rustic patties. Chill for 20 minutes if time allows; this helps them hold together.
3. Mix the yoghurt with the mint and lemon juice, then keep chilled.
4. Heat half the oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Fry half the cakes for 4–5 minutes on each side until deeply golden and crisp. Repeat with the remaining oil and cakes.
5. Drain briefly on kitchen paper. If the centres need warming, place the batch in a 180°C/160°C fan oven for 5 minutes.
6. Serve hot with the mint yoghurt, salad and lemon wedges. Taste before adding salt, as the rice seasoning already contains it.

Serving Suggestions

Pile onto a platter for an easy lunch, or make smaller cakes for party nibbles. They are particularly good with mango chutney or a spoonful of chilli sauce.

Why This Recipe Works

Cold rice is drier than freshly cooked rice, so it binds and crisps more successfully. Lightly crushing the peas helps hold the cakes together without losing their fresh texture.

Allergy Notes

Contains egg, gluten and milk. Use gluten-free flour if required; choose a plant-based yoghurt for a dairy-free version. Cool and refrigerate cooked rice promptly and reheat until piping hot.

🌶️ Try It With

Build your spice cupboard with these related ingredients:

• Cracked Black Pepper
• Fennel Seeds
• Ground Cloves

🍽️ More Recipes Using Pilau Rice Seasoning

• Classic Golden Chicken Pilau
• One-Pot Lamb & Apricot Pilau
• Prawn & Pea Pilau with Lime
• Roasted Vegetable & Chickpea Pilau
• Pilau Rice Stuffed Peppers with Feta

🛒 Get the Blend

Ready to cook? Shop Pilau Rice Seasoning →

💬 Stay Connected

Follow Spice & Dipity on Facebook for new recipes, serving ideas and cooking inspiration.