How To Make Kenyan Pilau
Want to make delicious Pilau and don’t know how? Don’t worry, in this piece, you will learn how to make Kenyan pilau step by step. Kenyan Pilau is a traditional rice dish, rich in aromatic spices that infuse the rice with captivating flavors. It can feature either beef or chicken as its protein.
Pilau boasts a harmonious flavor profile and is often a centerpiece at festive gatherings and special events. It involves simmering rice in a well-seasoned meat or chicken broth. Unlike its Indian counterpart, Kenyan Pilau doesn’t include curry and is milder in spice.
Rice is undeniably one of my favorite foods worldwide. It serves as my quick meal solution and can effortlessly transform into an exquisite dish for special occasions.
By skillfully blending spices, plain rice can become the star attraction, whether it’s in the form of Rice Pilau, West African jollof rice, my preferred one-pot chicken and rice, or other delightful creations!
Kenyan pilau is a flavorful rice dish that’s popular in Kenya. It’s made with rice cooked with a blend of spices, including cumin, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Often, it also includes vegetables like onions, peas, and carrots, along with your choice of meat or vegetables. The ingredients are sautéed together to create a fragrant and tasty one-pot meal. This dish is also popular in other East African countries.
Pilau Ingredients
Kenyan pilau typically includes the following ingredients:
1. Basmati Rice
This long-grain rice is commonly used for pilau due to its aromatic and fluffy texture.
2. Meat
You can use chicken, beef, lamb, or even goat meat. It’s often cut into bite-sized pieces.
3. Onions
Finely chopped onions are used to sauté and provide a savory base for the pilau.
4. Cooking Oil
Vegetable oil or ghee is used for frying the onions and meat.
5. Pilau Masala
This is a blend of spices that gives pilau its distinctive flavor. It typically includes
- Ground cumin seeds
- Coriander seeds
- Ground cardamom pods
- Ground Cloves
- Ground cinnamon
- Black peppercorns
- Bay leaves
- ginger
- garlic.
On the other hand, you can buy a ground pilau masala mixture which has all the necessary ingredients ground together.
6. Tomatoes
Chopped tomatoes or tomato paste is added for a tangy element.
7. Water or Broth
This is used to cook the rice and meat. Some people prefer using chicken or beef broth for added flavor.
8. Salt
Salt To season the dish to taste.
9. Optional Ingredients
Some variations of Kenyan pilau include raisins or fried potatoes for extra flavor and texture.
These ingredients are combined and cooked together to create a delicious and fragrant Kenyan pilau dish.
How To Make Pilau Step-By-Step
Certainly! Here’s a step-by-step procedure for making Kenyan Pilau:
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
- Wash the rice thoroughly and set it aside to drain.
- Cut the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Finely chop the onions to your preferred size and shape and set them aside.
- Prepare your pilau masala by grinding the spices together (if not using pre-made masala).
Step 2: Sauté Onions
- Heat your cooking oil or ghee in a large pot or pan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and slightly browned.
Step 3: Add the Meat
- Add the meat pieces to the pot and cook until they brown on all sides.
Step 4: Spice it Up
- Add your pilau masala to the pot and stir well to coat the meat and onions.
- Allow the spices to toast for a minute or two to release their flavors.
Step 5: Add Tomatoes/Tomato paste
- Stir in chopped tomatoes or tomato paste and cook until the mixture thickens and the oil starts to separate from the tomatoes.
Step 6: Add Rice
- Add the washed and drained rice to the pot and stir to combine it with the meat and spices.
Step 7: Cooking Rice
- Pour in enough water or broth to cover the rice completely. The ratio is typically 2 cups of liquid for every cup of rice. Season with salt to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid. You can also add raisins or fried potatoes at this stage if desired.
Step 8: Serve
- Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and let it rest for a few minutes with the lid on.
- Serve your delicious Kenyan Pilau hot, garnished with fresh coriander leaves if you like.
You can serve your pilau with kachumbari or a homemade pilau paste.
Enjoy your homemade Kenyan Pilau!
You can check out more delicious dish recipes like how to make shawarma at home and how to make Swahili chicken biryani.
