Pilau (Kenyan Spiced Beef Rice)
In short: Long-grain rice cooked in beef broth with deeply browned onion, garlic and warm pilau spices, a fragrant one-pot meal for Kenyan celebrations. It takes about 2 h 5 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 1 h 40 min
- Total
- 2 h 5 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 570 kcal
Pilau is the dish Kenyan families cook for Sunday lunch, Christmas, weddings and Eid. Beef simmers until tender, then rice cooks in the rich broth with deeply browned onions and a blend of cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper known as pilau masala. The browned onions give the rice its golden color and sweetness. It is served with kachumbari, and a spoonful of chili sauce for anyone who wants heat.
Instructions
- Put the beef in a pot with the water, 1 tsp of the salt and half the garlic. Bring to a boil, skim off the foam, then cover and simmer for 45 to 60 minutes until tender. Lift out the beef and measure 800 ml (3 1/3 cups) of the broth, adding water if needed.
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Fry the cumin seeds for 30 seconds, then add the onions.
- Cook the onions for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often, until deep golden brown. Add a splash of water if they begin to catch.
- Stir in the remaining garlic, the ginger and the pilau masala for 1 minute, then add the beef and stir for 3 minutes.
- Add the rice and stir for 1 minute to coat the grains. Pour in the hot broth and the remaining salt and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat as far as it goes, cover tightly and cook for 18 to 20 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Rest for 10 minutes, fluff gently and serve with kachumbari.
Tips
- Brown the onions slowly. They give pilau its color and sweetness, and rushing them over high heat only makes them bitter.
- To save time, pressure-cook the beef for 25 minutes, or use boneless chicken thighs and simmer them for 20 minutes.
Questions and answers
What is pilau masala?
A warm spice blend of cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper, sold at African and Indian grocers. You can make your own by grinding the whole spices.
Why is my pilau mushy or hard?
Too much liquid makes it mushy, while too little or a loose lid leaves it hard. Measure the broth and keep the pot tightly covered.
Is pilau spicy hot?
No, it is fragrant rather than hot. A spoonful of chili sauce at the table gives heat to anyone who wants it.
How long does it take to make Pilau (Kenyan Spiced Beef Rice)?
About 2 h 5 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 1 h 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pilau (Kenyan Spiced Beef Rice)?
About 570 kcal per serving, with 34 g of protein, 66 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 570 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 34 g |
| Carbohydrates | 66 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
