How to Make Pakistani Pilau 

This rice recipe is a traditional dish of Basmati rice and a meat like goat, lamb or beef or it can be vegetarian.

Pilau rice is cooked in a stock with whole spices, onions and meat which is then used to flavor the rice.  Some people may call this a Pakistani brown rice recipe, but the rice is only brown after having been cooked in the meat stock. 

In a large pot add the meat, coriander seeds, black pepper corns, garlic, bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamoms, star anise, salt and 1 onion (cut into quarters). Fill pot with enough water or stock to cover the meat and spices.

Bring to a boil and cover. Simmer until meat is tender (depending on the meat you are using it can take anywhere from 25 minutes for chicken and up to an hour for beef or goat meat.

Once meat is tender, strain the stock into another pot or bowl. Put the stock aside and place the meat pieces and throw away the whole spices.

In the same pot, heat the oil on medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cumin seeds. Sauté till the onion is brown but do not let it burn. Note that the browner you get the onions the darker the color of the rice will be. Add the meat and the drained basmati rice and the stock. Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer on low heat until the water dries up and the rice is soft (this should take about 10 – 15 minutes).

Turn off the heat and allow the rice to rest covered for another 10 – 15 minutes before serving.

Ingredients

–meat of choice bone in (I used goat meat, but chicken, or beef can also be used in this recipe) –coriander seeds –black pepper corns –cloves of garlic –bay leafs –cinnamon stick –black cardamoms –green cardamoms –star anise –whole cloves –onions –canola oil –Basmati rice  –salt –cumin seeds –water or stock