Description
A warm and aromatic pilau made with fluffy basmati rice, tender beef, and whole spices gently simmered together for a deeply comforting and flavorful meal that feels like home in every bite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed well
- 500 grams beef chuck, cut into small cubes
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 medium tomato, finely chopped
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- Heat a large heavy pot over medium heat for about 1 minute.
- Add vegetable oil, then toast the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, and bay leaf for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add sliced onion and cook until golden brown. Stir in garlic and ginger and cook for another 1 minute.
- Add beef cubes and brown on all sides. Stir in chopped tomato, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the tomato softens.
- Pour in beef broth and bring to a simmer. Add the rinsed rice and stir gently. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Turn off the heat and let the pot rest covered for 10 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork.
- Serve warm, making sure each portion has a mix of rice and tender beef.
Notes
- Toast the whole spices carefully to release maximum aroma without burning them.
- Rinse the rice thoroughly to ensure fluffy, separate grains.
- Let the pilau rest after cooking so the steam finishes cooking the rice gently.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lemon before serving for extra brightness if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg