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Home » Party Ideas

Pilau Rice With Wild Garlic And Stinging Nettles

Modified: Jan 10, 2024 · Published: Jun 3, 2019 · by Ramona

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This pilau rice, pilaf, pulao with wild garlic and stinging nettles is more of a spring dish but the wild garlic and nettles can be substituted by spinach and spring onion, scallions. This one-pot dish is definitely a versatile ideal midweek meal.

Pilau rice with wild garlic and stinging nettles

This is the second time this year we have had this pilau rice with wild garlic and nettles. I have added some organic black lentils also known as beluga to make it even more hearty and packed with goodness. Olives were also present because this is how my mum used to make it and I love it.

A truly beautiful vegan dish. It’s one of those dishes which takes me back a few decades reminding me vividly of those days when I was going into my favourite local forest to pick the nettles.

I did grow up eating very well, organic, locally grown produce, always tasty and super fresh. I’m not that old, please don’t think that a few decades can be many more than they really are, haha - just 2 or 3 you know ;-). Time flies anyways so a decade is not that long nowadays ;-).

How to get fresh nettles and when

The very first nettle shoots are how nettles should be picked. The young ones are definitely the best.
Stinging nettles can be picked actually up to the point of flowering but not later than that. If the nettles are older just pick the tips, just the tip, approximately the top 10cm.
Here’s how they look when they’re at their best times and size to get picked...

stinging nettles
stinging nettles and the size they should be when picked


Just in case you wonder, yes I did get stung quite badly and suffered a good few days after picking them. That is because we never planned to go nettle picking so obviously we were neither prepared nor equipped for nettle picking.
We used scissors (especially hubby) we didn’t have gloves or anything to protect our fingers. I picked them up in the barest and most natural way by snapping them with my bare fingers. I am beginning to feel the stinging again only by thinking and talking about it.

A little more about these little nasty stinging nettles….

Stinging nettle is have been used for many hundreds of years to treat muscles and joint aches, eczema, lower back pain, anaemia, arthritis and gout. Great ingredient, I know! It is what I thought too.

Stinging Nettle Benefits:
Nettles have been linked to some health benefits, they contain many nutrients such as:

• Vitamins - A, C and K and a few B vitamins);

• Minerals - Ca (Calcium), Fe (Iron), Mg (Magnesium), Ph (Phosphorus), K (Potassium) and Na(Sodium)- I’m sure you know your symbols. I wanted to test myself to see if I remember them, and to my surprise, I still do! My chemistry teacher would be quite proud of it.

• Amino acids - all the essential ones (wow, I know!). Our bodies need 20 amino acids to grow and then function properly but just 9 are considered to be essential.
Amino acids cannot be made by our bodies and therefore they have to be obtained from our food.

• They also contain fats, polyphenols and pigments, many of which act as antioxidants- we all know how great they are for us.

• Nettles are believed to help reduce inflammation which is why they were used in arthritis.

When, where, how to pick stinging nettles ….

• Nettles are a spring thing only.

• As I mentioned they need to be picked when they are young and if they get picked a little later into the spring you’ll only need to pick the tips, I would say 3 inches maximum.

• They do prefer the cooler parts of the world. I’m not sure about the hot countries but I know they can be found all throughout Europe, New Zealand and the cooler parts of the US. Do you guys have them where you are?

• Always try to wear gloves when picking them. I like using scissors especially if I don’t have gloves and sometimes I use a pair of tongs.

• Cut with the scissors and pick them using the tongs and put them in a bag. Easy. Caution! They can sting through the gloves too, haha, so use my technique if you want to stay ‘sting-free’.

Wild garlic...

I did buy mine this time but while being out on my walks with hubby, wandering around a nice park in Finchley, we discovered a sea full of wild garlic. At first, I did not even realise it was actually wild garlic. Wow, I will never buy mine again but go and pick it freshly from the beautiful and generous nature.
A few years back my mum brought me some wild garlic and sadly I ended up throwing most of it away because I never really cooked with it before. I did not know what to do with so much wild garlic! Haha. She was the one to open up my eyes and lighten up my brain. I now try and cook it as soon as it appears which is always around April/May.

FAQs

Don’t have nettles or wild garlic?

Not to worry at all if you have neither nettles nor wild garlic. These can be substituted by spinach, chives, kale, cavolo nero or any spring greens. Any greens you may like will deserve a try. Surprise me here please but make sure you let me know what that was. What have you replaced the nettles or the wild garlic with? Supplies!! 😉

What is special about this pilau rice

Coming back to this delicious and totally vegan pilau rice or pilaf, it is packed with goodness, it is easy to make and pretty versatile too.

I grew up eating this but I have to say that I never appreciated it as much as I do now.

We do forage the nettles as soon as they pop their heads out, nice and young are the best.

I am going to reveal the recipe for this beautiful pilau rice dish so, let’s put the apron on and get cooking, shall we?

But before that here are some more rice recipes you might like to try like this one-pan curried rice, truffle and mushrooms pilaf, or this sweet and super delicious rice and mung beans pudding. You may also like this vegan nettle and chickpea salad recipe. Yum, yum.

Pilau rice with wild garlic and stinging nettles

Pilau rice with wild garlic and stinging nettles

This vegan pilau dish bursts with flavour and it contains only a few ingredients like rice, wild garlic, nettles and olives. The perfect dish for any rice lover but not only.
5 from 22 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Main Dish, Side Dish
Cuisine: World Cuisine
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
0 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 568kcal
Author: Ramona Sebastian
Cost: £5

Equipment

  • skillet
  • wooden spoon
  • chopping board

Ingredients

  • 500 ml stock vegetable
  • 300 g rice
  • 150 g black lentils (beluga lentilorganic
  • 2 onions
  • 2 carrots
  • 70 g wild garlic fresh
  • 120 g nettles fresh or frozen
  • 1-2 pinch red chilli dry and crushed
  • 40 g black olives pits on
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Salt pink Himalayan
  • 1 tablespoon fried onions optional
  • 2 tablespoon pine nuts
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
Metric - US Imperial

Instructions

  • Place the pan on medium heat, add the 2 tablespoon of olive oil, chopped or sliced onions, sliced or cubed carrots, finely chopped garlic, a pinch of salt and a pinch of black pepper. Cook for 2-3 min stirring a few times.
  • Add the stock and bring to boil. When this starts to simmer, add the rice, the black lentils and allow to cook (covered) on low heat for about 7-9 minutes.
  • Remove the lid, add the chopped nettles and chopped wild garlic. Add more stock if needed. Season with more salt and pepper (remember that olives are salty too). Give it a good mix. Add the olives, stir those in and cook for a further 5-7 min on low heat.
  • Turn off the heat, sprinkle some chilli flakes pinenuts and serve. Enjoy!

Notes

 
Pilau rice with wild garlic and stinging nettles
 
Sprinkle a spoonful or two of Parmesan cheese over for extra flavour and creaminess if you wish or vegetarian cheese to keep it a vegan option.
To wash the nettles use plenty of water in a big bowl and use a pair of tongs or thick gloves to pick them up.
Rinse them very well quite a few times changing the water every time.
Storing nettles:
They do store very well in the fridge for a few days but if you want to store them for a long-term wash them, drain well and freeze. This way nettles can last for a good few months.
It’s a good way to have nettles throughout the year. Also dried they are pretty good although they do not taste quite the same.
I prefer the taste of fresh or frozen if you ask me. I do use dry nettles quite a bit too especially for salads and smoothies. Here’s one recipe that uses dry nettles you might like.
Cooking the nettles:
They are good in any dish that you would cook with spinach and they cook pretty much like spinach.
Let me know, do you have nettles where you are? Have you ever cooked them?
 
Did you make this delicious pilau rice with wild garlic and stinging nettles?
 
Please do let me know how you liked it, did you give it any twist by using some different ingredients, if yes, what were these and how did it turn out for you?  
If you liked it, made it or just got inspired by this recipe, please leave a comment below or why not share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #ramonascuisine.  
I would really love to see your dish!
 
Please do like us on Facebook too!
 
If you made it and really loved this recipe… 
 
Share it with your loved ones, they might like it too! It will only show you care! 
 
Thank you for stopping by and I do hope you’ll check my blog again to see what’s new, all amazing cooking ideas and easy delightful family recipes. 
 
Have a wonderful day! 
 
Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 568kcal | Carbohydrates: 95g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1275mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 6300IU | Vitamin C: 9.6mg | Calcium: 226mg | Iron: 4.8mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ramonas.cuisine or tag #ramonascuisine!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nancy Caldwell says

    May 04, 2021 at 2:53 pm

    5 stars
    I was curious about this recipe and on a walk with a friend found a sea of wild garlic and nettles growing alongside a field. The initial prep took some time - washing, sorting, spinning dry so refrigerated the leaves. Made the pilau 2 days later and substituted cashews for pine nuts and used puy lentils. Husband (unadventurous eater) went from suspicious ‘hmm’ to ‘surprisingly good’ and had a second helping! He grated a generous amount of Parmesan over it, though! Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      May 05, 2021 at 1:15 pm

      Hey Nancy, Thank you so much for taking your time and giving me feedback on this delicious pilau rice recipe. Yes, the wild garlic can take a little prep but all well worth it, right? I am so glad to hear you and your hubby liked this recipe. It is funny, my fussy hubs also likes it with a blanket of parmesan over it not to say buried in parmesan 😉 Haha. Men are so funny!!

      Reply
  2. Ben says

    April 30, 2021 at 10:24 am

    Great recipe, will definitely make it again. My wife loved it too. I have used dry nettled and fresh spinach. Wow!

    Reply
  3. Emma says

    June 27, 2020 at 8:16 pm

    5 stars
    Loved this pilau rice recipe! You know, I never knew you can buy dry nettles so I looked it up and have got a full jar of these now to add in my food but make teas too. Not like the fresh ones but I am sure still beneficial. Love nettles but their season is so short lived sadly. I have used fresh garlic from my garden instead of the wild one. I will be making this recipe again and again as well as the chickpeas and aubergine one that uses nettles too. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful recipes and ideas with us. I have saved your site and keep on coming back to see what's new. Love your recipes Ramona xx

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      July 06, 2020 at 11:09 am

      Thank you so much dear Emma,
      Your comment definitely made my week! Thank you so much for your kind comment and also for being such a great fan of my site recipes. I am very happy to hear this!! Have a wonderful week!

      Reply
  4. Brian Jones says

    July 18, 2019 at 3:52 am

    5 stars
    What a wonderful recipe, I go mad for wild garlic when it is in season but have not done a great deal with nettles, this is definitely going on my to do list!

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      July 22, 2019 at 2:59 pm

      Thank you so much Brian. I do too and for the nettles too. I am so sure you will like this recipe and where you are nettles are a joy to pick when they first come in the spring.

      Reply
  5. Mimi says

    June 11, 2019 at 5:17 pm

    5 stars
    Your mum made a great choice with olives, I always use them with my rice and never miss. Delicious recipe!

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 12, 2019 at 12:14 pm

      Thank you so much Mimi. I agree with you. I love olives and with this dish they make such a difference.

      Reply
  6. April says

    June 11, 2019 at 5:16 pm

    5 stars
    It is the second time for you but hopefully will be the first one for me because these nettles are unbelievably good!

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 12, 2019 at 12:19 pm

      Thank you so much April, they really are.

      Reply
  7. Lathiya says

    June 10, 2019 at 4:07 pm

    5 stars
    Never heard of Nettles before. Something new to me. The dish looks delicious and definitele a must try.

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 11, 2019 at 8:23 am

      Thank you Lathiya, definitely worth checking for some nettles. They are super food!

      Reply
  8. Jacqueline Debono says

    June 10, 2019 at 12:08 pm

    5 stars
    Although I have never eaten stinging nettles, I love making recipes with foraged foods! Definitely have to try this wonderful recipe!

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 11, 2019 at 8:25 am

      Thank you Jacqui - I am sure you can find some really nice nettles around in Italy. They are super great. I just wished I could find them here to buy in a supermarket or farmers market so I don’t need to go and pick them myself 😉

      Reply
  9. Amanda says

    June 09, 2019 at 11:41 pm

    5 stars
    This is such a great side dish! It's so flavorful and goes with so many different dishes. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 10, 2019 at 4:06 am

      Thank you so much dear Amanda, you are so right, it is a great dish, we love it and I am so glad you do too!

      Reply
  10. Swathi says

    June 09, 2019 at 12:29 pm

    5 stars
    I haven't tried stinging nettles, I need to check it out. this pilaf looks perfectly made with full of flavor.

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 10, 2019 at 4:08 am

      thank you so much Swathi!
      I am so glad you like it. Check it out - the nettles are great but spinach is a great substitution to the nettles as I know these are not always available.

      Reply
  11. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says

    June 08, 2019 at 3:25 pm

    5 stars
    I remember my nasty first encounter with stinging nettles. I had no idea people would actually pick them! You learn something new every day!
    I am still scared from my first experience with them, so I think I would need to get over that before trying this recipe!

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 08, 2019 at 3:41 pm

      Ha ha Cathleen, you made me laugh but I can understand what you are saying. however, there is a difference between the stinging - the older they are with flowers and seeds and all that the nastier the stinging is. The young ones are a lot milder. It is easier to get them ready picked - I hope one day soon we will be able to buy them in the supermarkets fresh, frozen or ready cooked. I also use the dry ones in the months they cannot be found fresh.
      I do hope you will give them a try soon 😉

      Reply
  12. Natalie says

    June 08, 2019 at 8:44 am

    5 stars
    I never cooked nettles. But now I definitely must. Health benefits are numerous. This recipe sounds very delicious. Definitely will give it a try!

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 08, 2019 at 3:36 pm

      Thank you Natalie, I am sure you will love it!

      Reply
  13. Jo says

    June 08, 2019 at 7:23 am

    5 stars
    I'm a rice eater and I can never get bored of rice, could eat it all day long. This pilau sounds so exciting to me. Never heard or tasted stinging nettles, but with so many health benefits, it sounds like the best thing to use. Very interesting recipe.

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 08, 2019 at 3:36 pm

      I can easily say the same thing Jo, I never get bored of rice and potatoes, I could eat these two ingredients all day long. Thanks so much!

      Reply
  14. Danielle says

    June 07, 2019 at 3:45 pm

    5 stars
    I think adding organic black lentils made it an extremely delicious and healthy dish. I am very interested to try it and can't wait to get everything I need for it.

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 08, 2019 at 3:35 pm

      Thank you Danielle, yes indeed, the beluga/black lentils are a great addition and give that extra to the dish. I am so happy you will try this recipe, I am so sure you will absolutely love it!

      Reply
  15. Claudia Lamascolo says

    June 07, 2019 at 2:24 pm

    5 stars
    This sounds so delicious I never had anything like it and love the rice and garlic such a wonderful combination of flavors.

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 07, 2019 at 2:34 pm

      Thank you dear Claudia, definitely a dish to try it is really tasty and so east to make 😉 Happy weekend! x

      Reply
  16. Jenni LeBaron says

    June 06, 2019 at 8:39 pm

    5 stars
    This looks delicious! I've never worked with stinging nettles before, but I see them each week at the farmers market and have always wondered what I could do with them. This dish looks like the perfect choice!

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 07, 2019 at 5:19 am

      Thank you Jenni, you are so lucky to find nettles at the farmers market. I have never seen them here - I need to go and pick them myself which is fun, I am not complaining but I would cook with nettles so much more if it was for thhose to be available. I will go and check it out next spring as I might be missing them due to the short lived season. Great tip actually -thanks
      You should definitely try them, they’re delicious indeed and packed with goodness. I remember back home when I was a kid we would even make a tea and drink it which I wasn’t a fun of but my mum always said to us to have it as it is very good for us- lucky we listened 😉

      Reply
  17. Erika says

    June 05, 2019 at 6:07 pm

    5 stars
    Oh wow, what a great looking dish. I've never worked with nettles before, but it looks so interesting.

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 06, 2019 at 4:50 am

      Thank you so much Erika 😉

      Reply
  18. Sophie says

    June 04, 2019 at 11:13 am

    5 stars
    Very new recipe for me, looks so delish!

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 05, 2019 at 4:10 am

      Thank you Sophie.

      Reply
  19. Stine Mari says

    June 04, 2019 at 8:16 am

    5 stars
    Who knew nettles could be eaten like this! It looks fantastic and bursting with flavor. But be careful when picking nettles!

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 05, 2019 at 4:09 am

      Ha ha, thanks Stine, indeed!

      Reply
  20. Kelly Anthony says

    June 03, 2019 at 9:02 pm

    5 stars
    What do nettles taste like? I have never heard of or cooked with them.

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 05, 2019 at 4:07 am

      Hi Kelly,
      A bit like spinach really - closese I can think of. Really worth getting some for their benefits 😉

      Reply
5 from 22 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Hey, I'm Ramona and I ♥ making healthy living easy and more delicious!! I am a full-time mother, I work and I am also a busy volunteer.

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