Vegetarian Kabuli Pulao (Afghan Rice)
User Reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
1 hr
-
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
-
Servings
4 very large servings or 6 smaller servings
-
Calories
785 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
Afghan
Vegetarian Kabuli Pulao (Afghan Rice)
Report
Kabuli Pulao is the Afghan celebration dish. This is a vegan and vegetarian version of Afghanistan’s spice-infused, complex, and richly fragrant rice pilaf. Stovetop and Instant Pot instructions included.
Share:
Ingredients
Pulao
- ¼ cup oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 cups dry basmati rice
- 2 tsp fine sea salt or 3 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp ground cumin (see Note 1)
- 1 tsp ground black cardamom (see Note 2)
- 3 to 4 cups water (use 3 cups (720g) for Instant Pot, or 4 cups (960g) for stovetop method)
- 2 cups vegan "lamb" or "beef" chunks (*optional; see Note 3)
Toppings
- 3 tbsp oil
- 1 carrot
- ½ cup sultanas or raisins
- 1 tbsp slivered almonds
- 1 tbsp Slivered Pistachios
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp ground green cardamom
Add to Shopping List
Instructions
For the Pulao Rice
- Rinse and drain the basmati rice.
- Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot on medium-high heat. Add diced onions and sauté, stirring occasionally. (Instant Pot: Use the Sauté setting and set it to More mode. Once the display reads HOT, add 1/4 cup oil followed by the diced onions.)
- When the onion turns translucent (5–10 minutes), add rice, 2 tsp salt, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp cardamom, and 4 cups water, in that order. (Instant Pot: Use just 3 cups of water and also add vegan lamb at this stage, if using.)
- Cover the pot and let it come to a boil. (Instant Pot: Use the Pressure Cook setting on High Pressure for 3 minutes.)
- Once boiling, give everything a stir to ensure no rice grains have stuck to the bottom. Add the vegan lamb to the center of the pot. Cover again, turn the heat down to low, and continue to cook for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, remove from heat and set aside, covered, for another 10 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the toppings by following the steps below. (Instant Pot: Once the Instant Pot turns off, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes.)
For the Toppings
- Julienne the carrots into fine matchsticks and slice the almonds and pistachios into slivers.
- In a small saucepan on medium-high heat, fry the carrots, sultanas, almonds, and pistachios in 3 tbsp of oil until most of the oil is absorbed (3–5 minutes).
- Mix in the sugar and cardamom, then pour the mixture (including excess oil) evenly over the rice.
Equipments used:
Notes
- Cumin: You can adjust the amount to your liking. If you’re looking for something a bit lighter tasting, use as little as 1/2 tsp cumin. For a more heavily-spiced rice, use up to 1 tbsp.
- Black Cardamom: 1 tsp of ground black cardamom is about 3 whole black cardamom pods. You can also substitute with ground green cardamom.
- Vegan Lamb: You might be able to find this at your local vegetarian specialty store. But feel free to leave it out entirely or use a meaty alternative like Beyond Steak or Chick’n Chunks.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
785kcal
(39%)
Carbohydrates
115g
(38%)
Protein
17g
(34%)
Fat
29g
(45%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
8g
Monounsaturated Fat
17g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
2mg
(1%)
Sodium
1458mg
(61%)
Potassium
680mg
(19%)
Fiber
7g
(28%)
Sugar
18g
(36%)
Vitamin A
4205IU
(84%)
Vitamin C
10mg
(11%)
Calcium
155mg
(16%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4very large servings or 6 smaller servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 785 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 785kcal | 39% |
| Carbohydrates | 115g | 38% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 2mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 1458mg | 61% |
| Potassium | 680mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 18g | 36% |
| Vitamin A | 4205IU | 84% |
| Vitamin C | 10mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 155mg | 16% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
9 reviews
Excellent
Other Recipes
You'll Also Love
