Qabali Palau Recipes

KABULI PULAO (SPICED LAMB PILAF)

Steps:

• Heat 2 tbps ghee or olive oil in a deep, heavy-based saucepan.
• Add 2 chopped yellow onions and fry over medium heat for 15 minutes, or until translucent and golden brown. Remove and set aside.
• Add 1 lb 2 oz cubed boneless lamb to the pan with the remaining ghee and fry over high heat until browned, stirring often. Sprinkle with spices (1/2 tsp garam masala, 1/4 tsp ground cardamom, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper) and 1 tsp of salt.
• Stir over heat for 1 minute, add 1 1/2 cups water, then return onion to the pan. Cover and simmer for one hour.
• While the meat is cooking, add 1/4 cup ghee to a frying pan and lightly brown/toast 1/3 cup sliced almonds. Remove from pan, leaving ghee behind.
• Add 1 1/2 cups carrots to the frying pan and fry over medium heat until lightly colored, stirring often.
• Add 1 cup raisins and continue to fry, stirring until raisins become plump. Sprinkle carrot and raisin mixture with 2 tsp granulated sugar and set aside.
• Wash and strain rice. Bring 6 cups water(1.5 litres, 51 oz) to a boil with 1 tbsp salt. Add rice, return to a boil, and boil for 6 minutes. Strain.
• Remove the cooked lamb and 1/2 cup (4 fl oz. or 125 ml) of liquid. Stir the rice and the remaining 1 tsp salt into the juices still remaining in the pan.
• Make 3 or 4 holes in the rice with the end of a wooden spoon. Place lamb mixture over half of rice and carrots/raisin mixture over the other half of rice. Pour reserved meat juices over the top.
• Place two paper towels over pan and cover tightly with a lid. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 25 minutes more. Remove from heat and keep covered for 5 minutes.
• Pile the lamb into the center of a platter and top with carrots and raisin mixture. Fluff up rice grains with a fork and mound the rice around the meat in the middle. Sprinkle with reserved almonds and serve.

AFGHANI KABLI PULAO

Steps:

• Soak the rice in cool water for 5 minutes. Rinse until water runs clear.
• Place 4 cardamom pods on a cutting board and lightly crush using the flat side of a knife; transfer to a pressure cooker. Add halved onion, garlic head, 4 cloves, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon cumin seed, salt, sugar, cinnamon stick, paprika, and coriander seeds. Pour in water to cover.
• Seal pressure cooker lid and turn heat to high. Cook until pressure cooker whistles once, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Wait for 2 more whistles, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow pressure to release naturally, about 10 minutes.
• Strain broth into a bowl. Clean out the pressure cooker and heat it over medium heat. Add oil and chopped onion; cook and stir until softened and browned, about 7 to 10 minutes. Add carrots; cook until soft, about 3 minutes more. Add raisins, almonds, and strained rice. Add remaining 1 teaspoon black pepper, remaining 1 teaspoon cumin seed, and remaining clove.
• Crush remaining cardamom seed to a powder and add to the pressure cooker. Mix to combine; pour in enough broth to cover the rice.
• Increase heat to high and seal the pressure cooker. Cook until the first whistle, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Cook for 5 minutes and remove from heat. Let rest for 7 minutes; release the pressure naturally, about 10 minutes. Transfer cooked rice to a serving dish immediately to prevent overcooking.

KABULI PALAU

Steps:

• Place chicken pieces, onions, salt and hot water in a 5-pt saucepan.
• Cover and simmer for about 2 hours.
• The chicken should be tender, yet firm.
• Remove and cool chicken, reserving stock.
• Remove meat from bones; use only large pieces for this dish.
• Cook rice in boiling salted water or cook in a rice cooker.
• When done cover until ready for use.
• To make stock sauce: Brown onions in hot butter and remove from heat.
• Add cardamom and cumin; mash with onion to form a paste.
• Add about 1 pt of the chicken stock; simmer for 5 minutes and taste for seasoning.
• Combine cooked rice, stock sauce and chicken; place in a buttered casserole; place carrots on top of mixture and sprinkle with raisins.
• Cover and cook for about 35 to 45 minutes in a very moderate oven (325°F).
• Add more stock or water if dish becomes too dry.
• When done, mix carrots and raisins lightly with chicken and rice.
• Stock not used in the main dish can be served as a soup course.