Vegan Kabuli Pilaf Rice
Afghani/ Kabuli Pilaf is a popular dish in Afghanistan, and is known for its aromatic spices and tender rice. Traditionally, it is made with meat, but this recipe will show you how to make a delicious vegan version that is just as flavorful.
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Servings: 8 people
Ingredients
- 3 cups basmati rice(washed and soaked in warm water for 1 hour)
- 1 cup oil
- 1 onion, medium
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 3 carrots, julienne cut
- 3 cups chickpeas, boiled or canned
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- salt to taste
- ½ cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon cardamom
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- saffron few strands(optional)
- 4 cups warm water
Instructions
- Soak 2 cups of basmati rice in water for 30 minutes to an hour.Peel and dice onions and julienne carrots.
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat and add the diced onions. Sauté until they become translucent.
- Add ginger garlic paste and sauté for a few more minutes.
- Add the julienned carrots, boiled or canned chickpeas, black pepper, and salt.
- Add 4 cups of warm water to the pot. Drain the pre-soaked rice and add it to the pot. Stir with the carrots and chickpeas.
- Cover the pot and cook on medium-low heat until the water evaporates (rice should be about 80% cooked at this point).
- Grind green cardamom and cumin to make a fine powder. Add it to the pot.
- Add raisins and a few strands of saffron (soaked in 1 tablespoon of water or milk) on top of the rice. Cover with foil and cook for 5-10 minutes on low heat.
- Once done, gently mix everything with a spoon and serve hot.
Notes
- Use good quality basmati rice: Basmati rice is the key ingredient of this dish, and using a good quality brand will make a huge difference in the final result. Look for aged basmati rice, as it has a firmer texture and can absorb more flavors.
- Soak the rice: Soaking the rice for at least 30 minutes before cooking will help to remove excess starch and prevent it from sticking together. Soaking also helps to ensure that the grains are cooked evenly.
- Don't overcook the rice: Overcooked rice can become mushy and lose its texture. Follow the cooking instructions carefully and avoid stirring the rice too much, which can break the grains.
- Use flavorful spices: The spices are what make this dish so fragrant and delicious. Use high-quality spices like cumin and cardamom for the best flavor.