Kenyan beef pilau recipe

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Kenyan beef pilau is a simple dish of rice flavoured with meat stock and spices and sometimes cooked with vegetables. This aromatic rice dish is commonly served at parties and special occasions.

Ingredients

2 cups of rice (washed & soaked)

500g beef (cut into small cubes)

4 cups water

2 large onions, sliced

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tbsp fresh ginger, crushed

2 tomatoes, chopped

3 tbsp cooking oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp black peppercorns

5 cloves

4 cardamom pods

1 cinnamon stick

Method

Prepare the pilau masala- Lightly toast the cumin, peppercorns, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon in a dry pan for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Grind into a fine powder.

Brown the beef- Heat oil in a large pot. Add onions and cook until deep golden brown (this gives pilau its signature colour). Add garlic, ginger, and beef cubes. Stir until meat is browned.

Add tomatoes and spices- Stir in the chopped tomatoes, cook until soft. Add your ground pilau masala and mix well.

Add rice and water- Pour in the washed rice, stir to coat in spices. Add 4 cups of water or broth. Season with salt to taste.

Cook- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes without lifting the lid, that’s how you trap the flavour.

Fluff and serve – Once the liquid is absorbed, fluff gently with a fork. Garnish with coriander. Serve hot with kachumbari (fresh tomato–onion salad).

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