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Pilau with Beef Recipe from Kenya

Pilau with beef is a traditional and iconic dish in Kenyan cuisine. It’s often served during special occasions and celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, and holidays. But we have found it to make for an amazing dinner any time of the week.

There is much to celebrate at our program in Kenya. Last year alone, we distributed over 126,000 meals to local children in need. These meals are keeping children in school, restoring families, and spreading the gospel. It’s amazing what God can do with a simple meal. 

Making this dish might not be such a life-changing experience for you, but it will be an opportunity to try some new flavors, experience Kenyan culture with your family, and could open up some great dinner table conversations.

We hope you enjoy this delicious dish and that it connects you in a deeper way with our extended Kenyan family. If you’d like to learn more about what our Christ-centered and holistic children’s program is doing in Kenya, you can do so here.

Pilau with Beef (Kenya)

Forward Edge International
Pilau with beef is a traditional and iconic dish in Kenyan cuisine, it's often served during special occasions and celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, and holidays. But we have found it to make for an amazing dinner any time of the week. Connect with our Kenya program by making this delicious dish and learn how we're helping children in Kenya at www.forwardedge.org/kenya.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Main Course

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups basmati rice
  • 5 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp ginger, minced
  • 1 serrano chile, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp pilau masala (see recipe or purchase on Amazon or specialty store)
  • 2 beef stock cubes
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 1 pound beef sirloin, cubed
  • 3 roma tomatoes, diced
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 bay leaves
  • salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat a stockpot on medium-high heat. Add oil and heat until hot but not smoking.
  • Add the sliced onions and fry for 10-15 minutes or until the onions start to turn golden brown (be careful not to burn).
  • Add the garlic, ginger, serrano pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
  • Add the cubed beef, pilau masala, beef stock cubes, bay leaves, cilantro, and salt to taste. Cook until the meat browns and caramelizes, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Add the diced tomatoes and cook for 4-5 minutes, until the tomatoes have released their liquid.
  • Stir in the potatoes and the water. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in the rice, and cover tightly with foil (to keep the steam in). Reduce the heat to low and cook for 20 minutes, until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
  • Once the rice is dry, remove the foil and fluff with a fork to ensure the seasonings are well distributed throughout the rice.

Notes

You can substitute chicken and chicken stock for the beef and beef stock cubes. You can substitute beef stock for the water and cubes. This dish is great as leftovers -- making ahead and reheating will only increase the flavor.
Keyword beef, dinner, flavorful, kenya, pilau, rice, savory, traditional
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Transform a Child's Life Through Sponsorship

Ka wula (hello), my name is Rahamatu

  • location

    Ghana

  • 14 yrs. old

    06-30-2010

Entered the program: March 2023

Rahamatu lives with her parents and three siblings in a three-bedroom mud house roofed with thatch; they have no latrine. The village has access to electricity for purchase but it often runs out before they can buy more. They have no access to potable water. Water is fetched from a local dam until it dries up, then the village women and girls must travel long distances to find other sources. This interferes with work and school attendance.

Rahamatu comes from a Muslim family but she and her older sister, Mariam (also in the program), have accepted Christ. Rahamatu’s father is a farmer but barely harvests enough food to last throughout the year; her mother tries to sells rice to help provide. They sometimes eat only once a day. With help from Create Hope, Rahamatu and her sister can attend school regularly. 

Sponsorship Level What's this?

Three $38 sponsorships are needed to cover the complete holistic care of one child. Cover one, two, or three sponsorships.