Turkish Stuffed Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) long-grain rice 2 cups (400g) long-grain rice
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or lamb 1 lb (450g) ground beef or lamb
• 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cups (710ml) chicken or vegetable broth 3 cups (710ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup (60g) butter, melted 1/4 cup (60g) butter, melted
• 1/4 cup (30g) slivered almonds, toasted (for garnish) 1/4 cup (30g) slivered almonds, toasted (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 kcal / 1885 KJ
• Fat: 18g (7g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 48g (2g sugars)
• Protein: 23g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
2. 2.
   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon.
4. 4.
   Stir in the ground cinnamon, cumin, allspice, parsley, dill, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
6. 6.
   In a large baking dish, spread half of the rice evenly on the bottom.
7. 7.
   Top the rice with the meat mixture, spreading it out evenly.
8. 8.
   Cover the meat mixture with the remaining rice, ensuring an even layer.
9. 9.
   Pour the chicken or vegetable broth over the rice, making sure it is evenly distributed.
10. 10.
    Drizzle the melted butter over the top layer of rice.
11. 11.
    Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
12. 12.
    Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top layer of rice is slightly crispy and golden.
13. 13.
    Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
14. 14.
    Garnish with toasted slivered almonds before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Rice — Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch and achieve fluffy grains.
• Ground meat — Use a combination of beef and lamb for a more traditional flavor, or opt for ground beef for a milder taste.
• Fresh herbs — Chop the parsley and dill finely to evenly distribute their flavors throughout the dish.
• Slivered almonds — Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown for added crunch and nuttiness.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, replace the ground meat with cooked lentils or chickpeas.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice over the pilaf before serving for a refreshing twist.
• Serve the pilaf with a dollop of yogurt on the side to balance the flavors.
• Experiment with different spices such as paprika or turmeric to customize the flavor profile.
• Leftover pilaf can be reheated in the oven or on the stovetop with a splash of broth to prevent drying.

Serving advice

Serve Turkish Stuffed Rice Pilaf as a main course accompanied by a fresh salad or pickled vegetables. It can also be served as a side dish alongside grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

Presentation advice

To present the dish beautifully, use a round baking dish to create a visually appealing layered effect. Garnish the pilaf with toasted slivered almonds for an elegant touch. Serve it family-style, allowing guests to admire the layers before digging in.