Pilaf is a rice recipe that includes additional ingredients, not just plain rice. Pilaf (AKA pulau) is an Eastern word that is a cooking method. However, over the years, it has also become the name of the dish. Pilaf means "fluffy" or "filled with air". The rice is fluffed so that you can see each individual grain of rice. In other words, it is not sticky rice. Pilaf is a family favorite, especially when made with basmati rice.