Pilau beef#festivecontest NairobiEast#authors marathon

Heat oil in a large pot. Add the beef in the oil in batches making sure not to over crowd the pot. You want to sear the beef so it browns and not steams. Let cook for 3-4 minutes until browned on all sides.

Add the onions and stir for 1-2 minutes

Add the carrots,potatoes season with salt & pepper, chili powder, pilau masala and bay leaves and stir. Let cook for another 1-2 minutes or until the carrots n potatoes soften.

Add hot water (to cook the beef), cover the pot with a lid and let simmer for 45 minutes-1 hour until the meat is very tender.

Layer the rice onto the meat, season with some more salt, pour in the hot water (to cook the rice) and let simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes

Sprinkle coriander powder onto the almost cooked rice and push the bulb of garlic into the rice making sure that the exposed cloves are submerged in the rice.

Cover and reduce the temperature and let sit for 12-15 minutes.

Remove the bulb of garlic and bay leaves from the rice, and serve the pilau immediately.