Kenyan Pilau: How It’s Done

• Start by chopping the onions finely and cutting the beef into small, bite-sized pieces.
• In a large pot, heat the canola oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they are soft and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
• Once the onions are ready, stir in the grated ginger and garlic. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
• Add the beef to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-8 minutes.
• Add the ground cardamom, whole garlic cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, cumin seeds, and black peppercorns. Stir well to coat the beef and onions with the spices. Let it cook for about 2 minutes to toast the spices.
• Pour in the basmati rice and stir gently to combine with the beef and spices. Then, add 4 cups of water and the seasoning powder. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is cooked and liquid absorbed.
• Remove pot from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Use a fork to fluff the rice gently before serving.