Best Uzbek Plov Lamb And Rice Pilaf Recipes

UZBEK PLOV (LAMB PILAF)

Steps:

• Heat oil in the dutch oven, or kettle, on a very high flame and add the onions. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally for 5-7 minutes, and add the lamb.
• Cook the lamb for 10 minutes and add the carrots. Keep cooking for 10 more minutes.
• Add cumin, coriander, salt, pepper and 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
• Peel some of the skin off the garlic head and slice the top off, exposing the garlic cloves, and then add it to the meat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid and cook for about 1 hour. Meanwhile, wash the rice thoroughly.
• Taste the liquid for salt and adjust if necessary. Add the rice and spread it out evenly.
• Add 3 cups of boiling water, reduce heat to low, cover the dutch oven with lid and cook for 25-30 minutes. At the end of cooking time, check if the water has been absorbed fully, and, if not, let it cook a little longer. Once ready, let it rest for 15 minutes before serving.

PLOV

Steps:

• Rinse and drain the rice in several washes of warm water, set aside
• Wash the whole garlic heads and slice off about 3/4 of an inch from the top of each head, exposing a cross section of the cloves. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a Dutch Oven or heavy casserole over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add lamb pieces (in batches, if necessary, to avoid over-crowding) and brown on all sides, about 7 minutes total (or per batch)
• If you have cooked meat in batches, return all meat to the pot and add carrots and onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, until the vegetables have softened.
• Add the next 7 ingredients: cumin seeds, paprika, hot paprika, turmeric, salt, pepper, and barberries. Stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup water, cover pot and turn heat down to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes.
• Uncover the pot and using the back of a wooden spoon, flatten the meat and vegetables into the bottom of the casserole. Add the rice, creating a flat even layer with the help of the wooden spoon.
• Push the garlic bulbs, exposed side first, down through the rice till only their bottoms are exposed.
• Pour the 3 cups of boiling water slowly over the wooden spoon, letting it fall gently into the pot so as not to disturb the rice layer on top. Poke a few holes in the rice layer with the handle of the spoon, cover the pot, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat. Pull out garlic bulbs and stir rice and meat together. Mound the Plov on a serving platter with the garlic heads on top.

OSH / PLOV - UZBEK / CENTRAL-ASIAN RICE

Steps:

• Wash the rice. Allow to soak in salted water for 30 minute You can use Thai or basmati rice.
• Cut the lamb shoulder into cubes. It should have some fat. Bones are optional.
• Slice the onions thinly and cut the carrots into strips. You should approximately equal amounts of carrots, onions, and lamb.
• Heat a large cast-iron or metal wok with the oil. Don't use olive oil. Sunflower oil works well. Animal fat tastes richer but is even worse for you and too heavy for many taste buds. While you can get away with any kind of pot, it does taste better if you have an appropriate seasoned instrument.
• Fry the onions until golden brown.
• Add chopped garlic and lightly brown. You can alternatively put the whole cloves into the rice when you cook the rice.
• Add lamb and fry until cubes are lightly browned.
• Add carrots, salt, pepper, all spices (adjust to your taste), and 2 cups of water. Turn down the fire, mix well, and cover for 5 min to allow carrots to soften.
• This completes the first step called "zirvak". You are now ready to cook the rice in the second step. Drain your rice which should have been soaking for 30 minute.
• Push the ingredients to the outer parts of your cooking wok/pot creating a large hole in the centre which will be filled with liquid.
• Carefully add your rice to the centre of the pot. Do not mix it with the rest of the ingredients. Try to fit most of it in the centre "hole".
• Add another 1.5 cups of water, cover the pot and allow to simmer until the rice is cooked and water has been dried up. This will take approximately 30 minute.
• Stir the entire mixture well and serve on a hearty plate or bowl. Top with spring onions. It goes well with a side-serving of salad, tomatoes, and bread. Naan or other type of flat bread would be best.