Uzbek Lamb Plov with Barberries & Raisins

Uzpek Plov, served with Red Tomato Salad
Uzpek Plov, served with a Red Tomato Salad

“The wisdom of the ancients teaches us that there are appropriate times for both feasting on rich foods and for fasting on the simplest fare.” Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon.

I don’t know about you, but I generally crave richer foods on the days following intense workouts and lighter meals on the days of rest. In the winter, I get more of those rich food cravings than in the summer time. And there is no dish more capable to satisfy my latest seasonal craving than Uzbek Plov, a rice pilaf that is served on many occasions in countries of Central Asia. If you have never tried Plov before, I guarantee that you will find this mildly spiced rice, slowly stewed with onions, carrots, dry fruits, and lamb scrumptiously delicious.

Lucky for me, I have a friend who happens to be a true virtuoso of Uzpek Plov.  Here is Isabella, one of the best chefs I know, in her own words, “I was only 12 when I made my first plov. Having grown up in a country that is famous for this legendary culinary invention, I was always fascinated by the simple magic that goes into the making of plov. One day, I asked my grandfather to buy me all the necessary ingredients, locked myself in the kitchen and, 2 hours later, I created my first pot of plov. It turned out so good, that the news of my culinary abilities traveled fast across town and soon I was making plov for family, friends and even strangers.”  Lucky for our readers, Isabella was kind enough to share her recipe on this blog.

Plov
Uzbek Lamb Plov with Barberries and Raisin
Ingredients
Ingredients
Step by step Plov Making: frying the lamb
Step-by-step Plov Making: sautéing the lamb
Step by step Plov Making: Adding spices to lamb and onions
Step-by-step Plov Making: Adding spices to the lamb and the onions
Step by step Plov Making: Adding carrots
Step-by-step Plov Making: Adding carrots
Step by step Plov Making: Adding garlic, beans and water
Step-by-step Plov Making: Adding garlic, beans and water
Step by step Plov Making: Adding dry fruit
Step-by-step Plov Making: Adding dry fruit
Step by step Plov Making: 45 minutes into cooking
Step-by-step Plov Making: 45 minutes into cooking
Step by step Plov Making: Adding rice
Step-by-step Plov Making: Adding rice
Step by step Plov Making: Rice finished steaming
Step-by-step Plov Making: Rice finished steaming
Step by step Plov Making: Carefully stirring everything
Step-by-step Plov Making: Carefully stirring everything

Uzbek Lamb Plov with Barberries and Raisin

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Rinse rice a couple of times  in cold water at least 1hr before cooking. Mix with turmeric and let it soak in water until needed
  2. Cut up the lamb into 1-1/2 inch cubes
  3. Slice the onions into ½ inch slices
  4. Julienne the carrots
  5. Heat the oil in Kazan (or a dutch oven) until very hot, add the lamb and saute until brown
  6. Toss in the onion. Cook for 5 – 7 minutes until onions are translucent and slightly golden
  7. Add all salt, cumin and cayenne pepper
  8. Toss in carrots, continue stirring
  9. Add water, garbanzo beans, garlic, raisins and barberries. Bring to boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 45-50 minutes.
  10. Drain rice well and layer it over the meat, onions and carrots, spread it evenly but do not stir
  11. Bring the heat back to high
  12. Cover the pot tightly and let rice steam through for another 45-50 minutes without opening the pot. When done, the top grains should be slightly firm, and the bottom ones – well done, but not mushy. All water should evaporate, but not burn
  13. Remove from heat and stir, bringing the bottom ingredients up to the surface
  14. Cut the top off the garlic head, slightly exposing the garlic cloves
  15. Enjoy plov with a side of tomato/onion salad

Liquer Pairing

Plov is traditionally served with shots of cold vodka. Isabella recommends Belvedere for its superior quality and lower probability for a morning hangover. She also suggests ending the meal with a cup of hot green tea.
Plov
Uzbek Lamb Plov with Barberries and Raisin

12 thoughts on “Uzbek Lamb Plov with Barberries & Raisins

  1. This looks amazing! I’m going to try this recipe tomorrow for Easter Sunday. I can’t wait to taste it. How many people does this recipe serve?

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  3. I have never heard drinking vodka with plov. In Uzbekistan they traditionally drink green tea with plov.

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