Central Asian Beef Pilaf

This recipe was given to me by my friend Yulia she grew up in Tajikistan a small land locked mountainous country in Central Asia, it was governed by Russia at that time. She learnt this dish while there it would be made as a big communal dish and shared as a family. Here's a nice little article on the country from a group of travel bloggers who drove across Asia and their views A rallying cry. Its a tasty dish that can be made with vegetables, I did one loaded with veggies and a mixture of red and white Thai rice, beef or chicken, a great one pot meal.

Central Asian Beef Pilaf 

- inspired by Yulia's recipe 

Ingredients:

• one pack of lean stir fry beef, cut into pieces
• 2 carrots grated - this gives it a lovely orange color 
• 3 cloves of garlic chopped
• one small onion chopped
• one cup of vegetable stock and 1-2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
• salt and pepper to taste 
• 1 1/2 cups of Jasmine rice 

Method:

1. saute the beef with the garlic and onion in canola or vegetable oil for about 10 minutes until the beef is nearly cooked 
2. add the grated carrot, cumin, salt and pepper I also added a little Turkish seasoning
3.  add the rice and water, cover and let it boil for about 20 minutes 
4. its a little tricky to get the rice just right and it can stick to the pan a little, in my experience I check and add water as needed. 
5. I have made this 3 times now, the last time with chicken and its getting better :-) 

The mountains from wikipedia 

my wee taste tester :-) he always comes into the kitchen as I cook and asks for the food :-) 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone 

Hugs Rebecca