How to cook pilau Ingredients and procedure

Ingredients:

• 1 Large Onion(Finely Chopped)
• 2-3 Garlic cloves(Crushed and chopped)
• Small piece Root Ginger (Chopped)
• 3 Tbs Pilau Masala(or according to taste)
• 1/2 Kg Boneless Beef(tender and cut in small pieces)
• 4 Tomatoes(diced very small) Blended gives better results
• 2 Cups Rice
• 3 Cups Hot Water
• Salt

• Tomato paste(optional) Do not use together with tomatoes(its not necessary)

Procedure:

1. Cook the onion and ginger on a medium heat with a suitable pan/pot and allow to brown. The browning is the trick to a nice pilau.
2. Add the meat and cook till its almost ready while pan/pot is covered. It should take about 3 min if the meat is tender and if not keep cooking till the meat is softened.
3. Add the pilau masala powder, salt and stir. If the meat has dried out, add a little water to prevent the meat from sticking.
4. Allow to cook then add the finely diced tomato. (If you can blend the tomatoes it would give you better results).
5. When using diced tomatoes add a little water to ensure the tomato is cooked and you have a thick sauce before you add the rice.
6. Add the rice and stir and ensure it's all mixed up.
7. Add the water. Cover and bring to boil. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer and slowly cook while covered.
8. After about 5 minutes of cooking, give the rice a stir and cover. Repeat this while the rice is still wet and its just to ensure all the rice cooks evenly and doesn't stick on the bottom.
9. Rice is cooked after about 13 minutes depending on the rice type and if it has dried up before its cooked, add a little water to steam it till cooked but not mashy!

 Tips:

1. Use a long grain rice but not necessarily and expensive one. If you get this right you should be able to enjoy your pilau and since it is a dry dish by itself, complement it with a salad on the side.
2. I have a pictorial guide on how to make this, have you seen it on my photos?