Tanzanian Pilau

Instructions

1. Prepare the ingredients
   Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it for 15 minutes. Drain well. Cut the beef into 1-inch cubes, slice the onions, and mince the garlic and ginger. If using potatoes, peel and cut them into chunks.
2. Brown the meat
   Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches and brown on all sides. Don't overcrowd the pot. Once browned, remove the meat and set aside.
3. Sauté the aromatics
   In the same pot, add the remaining oil and reduce heat to medium. Add the onions and sauté until they begin to caramelize, about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add the spices
   Add the cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, pilau masala, and bay leaves to the pot. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until aromatic. Return the browned meat to the pot and stir to coat with the spices.
5. Add potatoes and liquid
   If using potatoes, add them now. Pour in the beef stock or water, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 30-40 minutes until the meat is tender.
6. Cook the rice
   Once the meat is tender, add the drained rice and salt to the pot. Stir gently to combine. The liquid should be about 1 inch above the rice. If needed, add a bit more water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice has absorbed all the liquid.
7. Rest and fluff
   Remove the pot from heat and let it stand, covered, for 10 minutes. This allows the rice to finish cooking in the residual steam. Then, gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.
8. Serve the pilau
   Remove the whole spices (cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, and bay leaves) if desired. Transfer the pilau to a serving dish and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve hot with kachumbari (East African tomato and onion salad) or a side of yogurt.