Uncle Ben's Express Rice : Pilau Rice product reviews

I got the Uncle Ben's Express Rice in Pilau flavour a little while ago. I really love these convenient packs of rice. They are so quick and easy to put together. I add some type of meat to it (usually chicken or fish) and it makes for a really hearty lunch time meal. It's also cheaper than getting takeaways.

This flavour was very spicy. The spices in it definitely came through loud and clear. My tongue feels hot just thinking about it. I paired this with a tin of tomato and basil fish which helped neutralise the spicy hit somewhat.

I have bought this one since my first try. Its not my most favourite, but it's great for a change of pace and when I'm feeling like something a bit more spicy to warm me through. I'd love this with butter chicken or to have some naan bread close by as well.

Due to the spiciness, I couldn't serve this to my family. They love things to be bland when it comes to rice. Never mind - all the more for me.

I served this rice with some homemade butter chicken.

Preperation, as usual, was extremely simple and quick. The smell of the rice was quite strong; the spices definitely came through. Visually, the rice looked very appealing. Tastewise, I found the taste of the rice quite strong, but I did like it. I think it would go really well as a side dish as a few other reviewers have demonstrated in their reviews, as opposed to a base for curries, etc as I used it for. This is because the flavour of the rice is strong enough that it should be consumed on it's own and not with other strongly flavoured foods.

Again, a great product.

I found this offering to be on par with the Vegetable Pilau Rice (without the vegies obviously ) I felt the spices were of perfect proportioning and were most definitely in no way overwhelming at all.

I served this offering up with a nicely bar-b-qued steak and some fresh salad and it was absolutely perfect.

Another winner from Uncle Ben's.

Though I do enjoy Indian food, I have somewhat lost the taste in rescent years, swing back toward Italian preferences a lot. However, in the name of experimentation, I was keen to give this flavour a try, especially as I had no idea what exactly 'Pilau' was... when it came to Indian food I had previously ventured little beyond curry and naan bread!

After buzzing this through the nukebox for the required 2 minutes, while I prepared a couple of chicken cutlets to go with it, it was time to serve... as I tore off the top of the bag, the smells reached my nose, took a firm grasp of my smell receptors and yelled "Wake up and pay attention... it's YUM time, boyo!" and that had me starting to drool already, though I was a little worried because the smell was quite strong, and I was worried the rice was going to demand dominance...

Firstly, I piled the rice on the plate, topped it with the 2 cutlets crossed, a handful of green salad on the side, a quick garnish of thin carrot sticks drizzled with a mild soy sauce vinegrette... time to snarf!

The rice was excellent! Full of flavour, but without that overpowering strength I got from first impressions of smell. It had that distinct Indian spice mix that really tells you that you are eating good food well prepared. The rice grains fell apart easily, refusing to clump or clog up, which was a great indication of the low free starch content, not to mention a massive boon for the food preparer. No more spending time breaking up riceblobs while the rest of the food overcooks or goes cold.

Overall, another great addition to the Uncle Ben's Express Rice range, and one well worth trying if you enjoy Indian cuisine.

Friday morning, 6.30am, grab the easiest thing in the cupboard for lunch...
This time it was the Pilau rice, and I was away and off to work.

Lunchtime came, and into the microwave went my rice, zapping it for the required time...
Out of the microwave came the packet and an enticing smell of subtle Indian flavours. I didn't have time to grab anything extra to put in it this morning, but am sure it would work just as well with any Indian curry as it did on its own.
The rice was light, the flavour was nice but not overpowering, there were clearly visible spices in the mix (although not too big!) and there was plenty to fill me up for the rest of the day.

Another good offering

This fluffy tasty rice is a great rice to have with Butter Chicken (or similar meal)
Very fast and easy to prepare. Nicer than just plain rice.