Pilau is one of the most popular Swahili dishes around. This tasty coastal dish never misses on the menu at social gatherings and is a regular in many homes. Most people have their own ways of preparing this iconic Swahili delicacy whose main ingredients are rice and beef or basically any meat.
But today, we will show you another way to ensure your Pilau is even more delicious and aromatic. We hope you enjoy.
Ingredients
Beef meat
Lots of Onions
Lots of garlic
Ginger
Rice(good quality rice the better)
Potatoes
Salt
Curry powder (Simba Mbili)
Pilau mix (dawaya pilau)
Oil
Chillies
Beef broth
Secret ingredient,
STEP 1
Boil your beef in salty water till it is almost tender. Separate the broth from the meat and then add oil. Remember to add a lot of oil to avoid your rice from sticking on the Sufuria in the latter stages of cooking.Fry the chopped beef in oil until it turns golden brown.
STEP 2
Add the chopped onions to your beef. Stir until the onions in low heat until they turn to brown color.
STEP 3
Add in your pilau mix and cook for a few minutes, then your crushed garlic, followed by tomatoes and the rest of your spices including salt, depending on how spicy you want your pilau to be. Remember to measure all the ingredients in relation to your rice and meat. A good ratio will give you good quality Pilau.
STEP 4
Time for Our secret Ingredient
The Secret ingredient is Sugar! Yes, I know you are surprised but so was I. But it actually does wonders for your Pilau. Eka sukari kwa umbaali. Add a quarter to one table spoon of sugar. Shouldn’t be noticed while eating.At this point everything should have browned evenly.
STEP 5
Add your potatoes. Now I know most people don’t like potatoes. They are associated with people from Mt. Kenya. But to be honest, potatoes will make your Pilau more unique and delicious. Anyway, it is your choice on whether you add or not add the potatoes. But usiongeze viazi mob hadi ikae pilau njeri
Mix well and cover the mixture for about five minutes.
STEP 6
Add your washed rice. mix and let it cook for about three minutes
STEP 7
Remember the meat broth you separated earlier? It is time to add this to your meal. You can also add some water depending on the quantity of rice.
STEP 8
If using gas or jiko you can cook in low heat till it’s almost dry and add hot charcoal on top or you can switch it to the oven at this point; cover with aluminum foil and place it in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees for 15 minutes. I switched the pilau to a rice cooker.
Your Pilau is now drying up
Once ready, you can make Kachumbari. Kachumbari is a mixture of raw onions, tomatoes, pepper, dania and sometimes lemon juice. Kachumbari has some benefits which include anti-oxidants that help in absorption of Vitamin C.