Uzbek Pilaf

Ingredients

• 2.5 cup Baldo rice (Soak in warm salted water for 20 minutes, then rinse until the starch is removed and drain.)
• 500 g Lamb or beef, cut into cubes (Use either lamb or beef.)
• 3 Carrots (Large; julienned.)
• 2 Onions (Medium; diced.)
• 1 Garlic (One whole head; place in the center of the rice.)
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 0.5 tea glass Vegetable oil
• 1 tsp Cumin
• Salt (to taste; the rice soaking water is salted as well.)
• Black pepper (to taste.)
• Boiling water (Enough to cover the rice by about one finger's width.)

Steps

1. 1

   Soak the rice in warm salted water for 20 minutes. Rinse it well until the starch is washed away, then drain thoroughly.

2. 2

   Julienne the carrots and dice the onions.

3. 3

   Heat the butter and vegetable oil in a wide pot. Add the cubed meat and cook over high heat, stirring, until its released liquid has evaporated.

4. 4

   Add the diced onions and sauté briefly until slightly softened.

5. 5

   Add the julienned carrots and sauté for 3–4 minutes.

6. 6

   Add salt, black pepper, and cumin, then stir to distribute the seasonings.

7. 7

   Spread the drained rice evenly over the meat and vegetables without stirring it into the mixture. Set the whole garlic head in the center.

8. 8

   Pour in enough boiling water to cover the rice by about one finger's width. Cover the pot and cook over high heat until it comes to a boil.

9. 9

   Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cook covered until the water has been absorbed.

10. 10

    Turn off the heat. Lay a paper towel over the pot and replace the lid; let the pilaf rest for at least 20 minutes.

11. 11

    Gently fluff and combine the rice without crushing the grains, then serve.

Notes

The author prefers the pilaf slightly moist because it contains meat, vegetables, and spices. For a more separate, grainy result, use a little less water. The source does not specify exact salt or pepper amounts, the volume of boiling water, or a precise low-heat cooking time.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• rice dish
• one-pot
• stovetop
• meat
• gluten-free
• comfort food