Flavorful Kazakh Rice Pilaf Recipe

Are you bored with your ordinary, routine plate of rice? Do you look for a tastier rice dish to accompany your different meals? So why not try rice pilaf as a fantastic version of flavorful rice? Rice pilaf, also known as plov or osh plov, is an easy food to cook and is loved by many people worldwide. It is originated from countries such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. This is why Uzbek plov is famous and highly recommended to try. However, people also cook it in countries like India, England, etc. One of them is Afghan pilaf called “Kabuli Pulao“. You can read and make it in your home.

If you are curious to know what exactly traditional plov is, let me say that it is simply white rice cooked with oil and chopped onion and simmered with broth. It is originally a perfect side dish to serve with chicken, lamb, or beef and beef plov is so common in Uzbekistan. But there is no limitation for the way you like to serve pilaf. So there are numerous versions of rice pilaf cooked all over the world, and you can serve it as a complete main dish by adding extra ingredients. peas, diced carrots, chopped peppers, sautéed mushrooms, golden raisins, dried currants, chopped dried apricots, or even nuts can be added to this food, based on your taste.

As I mentioned before, white long-grain rice is the best choice to use in Uzbek plov authentic. Although, you can use Wild rice, Jasmine rice, or Basmati rice if you desire. You can also replace the rice with different kinds of pasta such as orzo or broken pieces of vermicelli or even use both rice and pasta. Today I prefer white rice, and I want to cook the original version of rice pilaf with no extra ingredients! Let’s get to it and start with the ingredients we need for the delicious rice pilaf recipe.

Ingredients required for cooking rice pilaf

Pilaf ingredients are so simple and can easily be found in almost every house all around the world:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil or butter
• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• 1 3/4 cups chicken broth, vegetable broth, water, or a mix of water and broth
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

How to make rice pilaf?

Cooking this tasty dish is so straightforward. All you need is to follow these few steps. So you will be able to prepare a wonderful plov for yourself and your loved ones.

Rinse and soak the rice

For the first step of cooking pilaf, Put the rice in a strainer, and rinse it thoroughly under cool water. Repeat it several times until the water is pretty clear. Then place the rice in a bowl, and pour water on it till the water covers the rice. Let it rest for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Toast the rice

After this period, add olive oil or butter to a large pan on medium heat. When the oil is hot enough, add rice without its water. Cook it for about 5-7 minutes until it turns bright white and flavorful. Do not forget to stir the rice frequently.

Cook the onion

In another pan, warm the olive oil or butter on medium heat, and then add diced onions. Cook the onion until it gets soft and the color is close to golden.

Simmer the broth

Set a medium saucepan on medium-high heat and add chicken broth, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Wait until the mixture starts to simmer. Then reduce the heat. After some minutes, turn off the heat.

Combine and cook

Now it is time to mix all you have prepared before. Add the rice, onions, and broth mixture to a large skillet and stir well to combine. Put the skillet on high heat and let it simmer. When the water starts to boil, reduce the heat, cover the skillet and let the mixture cook for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then add some fresh chopped parsley and cook it for 5 minutes more. Check the rice to make sure it is tender, and all the broth is absorbed. So remove the food from the heat. Let it rest, covered, for some minutes. Now our delicious rice pilaf is ready to serve!

• Note: You can add extra ingredients mentioned at the beginning to rice pilaf and let them cook and steam together. It is highly optional and depends on your taste.

How to serve rice pilaf?

You can serve this delicious rice with meat, chicken, or meatballs. It matches perfectly with seasonings, herbs, vegetables, and pickles. Rice pilaf can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. You can freeze it for 3 months and enjoy eating it whenever you desire!

Try this nutritious food at home, and let me know how your experience was. I am sure it would be great!