Pilao (Comorian Spiced Rice with Meat)
Sign in to rate this recipe.
The Tale of Pilao (Comorian Spiced Rice with Meat)
Story updated
Pilao, spiced rice cooked with meat, reflects the Comoros' place along historic Indian Ocean trade routes connecting East Africa with Arabia, Persia, and India, bringing rice and warming spices into local cooking much as they did along the nearby Swahili coast. It's a festive dish served at celebrations and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale:· 6 servings
- 3 cups basmati rice, rinsed
- 1 1/2 lb beef or chicken, cubed
- 2 onions, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 cloves
- 4 cups water or stock
- 1/4 cup oil
Instructions
- 1Heat oil in a heavy pot and fry the onions until golden brown.
- 2Add garlic and ginger and cook 2 minutes.
- 3Add the meat and brown on all sides.
- 4Stir in cinnamon and cloves, then add water or stock.
- 5Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer 25-30 minutes until the meat is tender.
- 6Stir in the rinsed rice, cover, and cook on low heat 18-20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
- 7Fluff with a fork and serve hot.
Want Cook Mode, your own recipe photos, and unlimited calculators?
Get Home Cooking ProComments
Loading comments…
Sign in to leave a comment.