Kenyan Pilau

Pilau, a delicious rice-based meal, is popular along Kenya’s Swahili coast. Beef, chicken, and goat meat can be used to make pilau, though beef is my favorite choice.

The main ingredient is rice, which is cooked in a stock made from either fish or meat and flavored with a variety of herbs and spices. Common spices include ginger, garlic, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and fried onions.

This dish is usually served for celebratory events and it’s also a popular Christmas dish in Kenya.

Enjoy this classic pilau recipe!

Kanyan Pilau

Aderinsola Adeosun

In Kenya, pilau is prepared for special occasions such as weddings and guests. It is considered a celebration meal and is served with kachumbari. Pilau is attributed to the coastal people in Kenya. It is a special rice cooked with aromatic spices and either chicken, beef or goat.

4.90 from 49 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Christmas dish, Main dish

Cuisine African

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 tbsps canola oil
• 250 g beef
• 2 onion
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tsp grated garlic
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1/2 tbsp ground cardamom
• 4 cloves garlic
• 4 anise
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 2 tbsp cumin seed
• 7 black pepper corns
• 2 tbsp seasoning powder

Instructions

 

• Wash and soak the rice for 30 minutes.
• Put the cumin, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper corns, and anise in 100 ml water and set aside.
• Put the meat, garlic, and ginger in a pot and salt to taste. Simmer for 15 minutes. Note: do not add water to the pot because the heat will bring out the water from the beef.
• Add 500 ml water and the seasoning powder and allow to cook for another 10 minutes. Separate the beef from its stock using a colander and set the liquid aside to cool.
• In a separate pot, heat 2 tablespoons of canola oil. Add the sliced onions and cook till golden brown.
• Add 1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste and fry for a minute.
• Now add the soaked spices to the pot and cook for 3 minutes.
• Next add the meat and salt to taste. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add 2 cups of water and pour in the soaked rice. Stir then cover with foil and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Remove from the stove and serve with salad and a cool bissap.

Notes

 

 

 

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Aderinsola Adeosun

Aderin is a Nigerian foodie who is extremely passionate about the African culture and food. Aderin is currently living in Europe where she studies Public Alimentation.