Lamb pilaf

A great way to use up a little leftover lamb, this lamb pilaf is full of flavor and a wonderfully comforting dish.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice (soaked and rinsed at least 3 times, ideally over a couple hours)
• 7 oz lamb shoulder meat (leftover or fresh (trimmed weight) - leg also fine)
• 1 onion (med-large (1 onion giving approx 2 cups once chopped))
• 1 carrot (large (1 carrot giving approx 1 cup grated))
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (plus some pieces of lamb fat to render, if possible, or around 1/2 tbsp more oil)
• 1 clove garlic (crushed or finely chopped)
• 1/2 tbsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tbsp ground coriander
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves ( or allspice)
• 2 cups water (hot)
• 1/4 tsp salt (approx)
• 1/4 cup raisins

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1As above, do soak and rinse the rice a number of times before starting the dish - this helps to stop the rice clumping in the finished dish.
2. 2Dice the lamb small, approx 1/3in/1cm cubes, peel and slice the onion and peel and coarsely grate the carrot.
3. 3Heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat and add the lamb fat to render the fat - basically cook it and press it gently to release liquid fat. Remove the leftover pieces of fat.
4. 4Add the chunks of lamb if not already cooked or if pink and brown all over - will only take a minute - then remove and set aside.
5. 5Next, add the onion and soften, stirring regularly, around 5 minutes.
6. 6Add the carrot and garlic, mix and cook for another minute then add the spices and lamb and mix well.
7. 7Layer the drained rice over the top of the lamb mixture and flatten then carefully pour over the water and sprinkle the salt on top.
8. 8Reduce the heat slightly and cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and allow the rice to steam.
9. 9Once the water is no longer over the top of the rice, after around 10 minutes, use the handle of a wooden spoon to gently poke a few holes in the rice to help it steam evenly. Cover again and steam for another 10-15 minutes until the rice on the top when you test it is just cooked.
10. 10Add the raisins, mix everything together and serve.