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Kabuli Pulao

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Kabuli Pulao is Afghanistan’s national dish—a fragrant, spiced rice pilaf layered with tender lamb or beef, sweet carrots, raisins, and toasted nuts. This elegant yet comforting one-pot meal is rich in flavor and beautifully balanced between savory and sweet.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs bone-in lamb or beef, cut into chunks
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cardamom pods
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns
  • Salt, to taste
  • 6 cups water (for simmering meat)
  • 2 cups basmati rice
  • 2 carrots, julienned
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds or pistachios
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil or ghee
  • Salt, to taste (for rice water)

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onions until golden brown.
  2. Add lamb or beef, garlic, whole spices, and salt. Brown meat on all sides.
  3. Pour in water, cover, and simmer for 1.5–2 hours until meat is tender. Strain and reserve broth. Discard whole spices.
  4. Rinse basmati rice and soak for 30 minutes. Bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil. Parboil rice until 70–80% cooked, then drain.
  5. In a skillet, heat oil and sauté julienned carrots with sugar until lightly caramelized. Add raisins and cook for 1 more minute until plump. Set aside.
  6. In a large clean pot or oven-safe dish, layer half the rice, then half the meat. Repeat layers. Top with carrots, raisins, and nuts.
  7. Sprinkle ground cumin on top and pour 1 to 1.5 cups of reserved broth evenly over the rice.
  8. Cover tightly with a lid or foil. Steam on low heat for 30 minutes or bake at 350°F (175°C) until rice is fully cooked and fluffy.
  9. Fluff rice gently before serving. Garnish with additional nuts if desired.

Notes

Use basmati rice for the most authentic texture and aroma.To make it vegetarian, replace meat with chickpeas and use vegetable broth.For added aroma, drizzle saffron water over the rice before steaming.Adjust sweetness by adding more or less sugar and raisins.Garnish with pomegranate seeds or fried onions for extra flair.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookibly.com/kabuli-pulao/