Afghanistan: Kabuli Pulao

GiddyUpGo's Note:

This recipe is from week two of my food blog, "Travel by Stove." I am attempting to cook one meal from every country in the world, and Afghanistan is my second stop. Kabuli Pulao has been called "The National Food of Afghanistan." It is a flavorful rice dish, usually served with lamb or beef.

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 lb lamb (I made a meatless version)
• 2 cups mutton broth (You can't find mutton broth?? Substitute beef broth.)
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1/3 cup golden raisin
• 1 small carrot, grated
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cardamom
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon butter
• salt

Directions:

1. Saute the carrots and raisins in butter. Set them aside.
2. Heat about a tablespoon of oil in a medium sized pan and cook the onions until translucent. Then add the rice and broth, bring to a boil, cover and cook for 20 minutes until the rice is tender.
3. Add the spices to hot oil and cook for a few seconds, until fragrant. Then add the meat and saute until just done.
4. Place the meat in an oven-safe dish, then cover it with the rice and bake at 250 degrees for 20 minutes.