WOOD FIRE WONDERS

Plov (Pilaf)/AZERBAIJAN

Ingredients

Two cups of long-grain basmati rice; 500g of lamb or beef (cut into cubes), 2 large onions (finely chopped); 2 large carrots (sliced into thin strips); 1/2 cup of dried apricots; 1/2 cup of dried barberries or cranberries; 1 tsp of turmeric; salt and black pepper to tast; 1/2 cups of hot water (or meat broth); 1/2 cup of melted butter (or olive oil); and handful of fresh dill and coriander (chopped).

Preparation and Cooking

  • Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear and soak in warm water with a tablespoon of salt for about 30 min, then drain.
  • Heat half of the butter or olive oil in a clay pot with lid, add the meat and brown it on all sides, and remove the meat and set aside.
  • Sauté the onions and add the carrots, dried apricots, and barberries (or cranberries) for a couple of minutes. Then return the meat to the large enough clay pot with lid and sprinkle with turmeric, salt, and pepper, and add hot water or broth, closed the lid and and simmer for an hour.
  • In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil and add the drained rice and boil for about 5 min and drain it. Then layer the parboiled rice on top of the meat and vegetables, and drizzle with the remaining melted butter or olive oil, cover with a lid.
  • Cook the dish in the wood fired oven for about 30-40 min at around 160-190oC.
  • Before serving, sprinkle the plov with chopped dill and/or coriander.

Hints and Comments

  • This one of the most popular dishes from Azerbaijan is often considered the king of Azerbaijani cuisine. It is a hearty dish often made with many variations and other ingredients. For example, the following can be added to the above recipe:
    • 1/2 cup of chestnuts (cooked and peeled) along with the chopped carrots,
    • 1/4 tsp of saffron threads soaked in 2 tbsp of hot water for 10 min and added to the pot just before layering the rice,
    • 1 cup of dried fruits: such as 1/4 cup of raisins and 1/4 cup of dried cherries or prunes and 1/2 cup of other dried fruits.