Description
A warm, fragrant pilaf with basmati rice, beef, and sweet-simmered carrots, embodying Xinjiang’s culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 1 lb beef, cubed (stewing beef or chuck recommended)
- 2 large carrots, sliced into matchsticks or coins
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp oil for cooking (vegetable, sunflower, or light olive oil)
Instructions
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then soak for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add cumin and coriander seeds and toast briefly until aromatic (about 30 seconds), then add onions and garlic. Sauté until translucent and fragrant, 4–6 minutes.
- Add the beef to the pot and brown on all sides, letting it develop color without crowding.
- Stir in the sliced carrots and continue to cook for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
- Add bay leaves, salt, and pepper, mixing well to coat the meat and vegetables.
- Pour in the beef broth and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes.
- Drain the soaked rice and gently add it to the pot, spreading it evenly over the meat and vegetables.
- Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and let it simmer until the rice is cooked and has absorbed all the liquid, about 20–25 minutes. Resist peeking too often.
- Turn off the heat and let the pot rest, covered, for 5–10 minutes. Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving. Enjoy your Uighur Polo warm!
Notes
Toast whole spices for deeper flavor. Soaking rice reduces cooking time and helps keep grains separate. Adjust broth based on the rice used.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Uighur
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 730
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 78g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg