Uzbekistan holds Ramadhan in all its grandeur and religious importance and the various tradition and culture of fasting and iftar is something that every Uzbek attaches close to their hearts since its Soviet Union era.
Holding on to their religious and national traditions, Uzbeks invite neighbours and relatives to their iftar throughout Ramadhan because their tradition is based on ‘giving’.
After the maghrib call for prayer, Uzbek families are often led by the head of the family in a common prayer just before the actual breaking of the fast.
Some of their favourite dishes are traditional Uzbek dessert called nişalda, patır bread, a pastry called Samsa and Uzbek pilaf which are all also some of the inevitable Ramadhan dishes in Uzbekistan.
Giving Uzbekistan’s cuisine a little space in our iftar menu during the holy month would be a treat to our taste buds after prolonged fasting.
According to seasoned nişalda confectioner Barno Polatova, the sweet has many health benefits and can ease digestion.
Recipe and method of cooking:
Rinse rice in cold water at least 7 times, pouring out all the water completely after each rinse; set aside
Boil water in a saucepan and add 2 tbsp salt to it; set aside
Cut up the lamb into 1 to 1-1/2 inch cubes.
Half and slice the onions 1/4 inch slices.
Half lengthwise and slice or julienne the carrots
If you have fatty lamb pieces use those for melting out the fat, if not, use vegetable oil instead.
In a heavy bottom large pot or dutch oven heat the oil, or brown the fatty lamb pieces to get the fat out over high heat, until fat is smoky (but not burning)
Toss in all of the lambs and continue browning on all sides until pleasantly brown and stops sticking to the bottom.
You can either remove the meat now or continue with the meat on the bottom.
Reduce heat to medium
Toss in onions and cook in fat until translucent, about 5-7 minutes, frequently stirring them
Toss in carrots, continue stirring
Add some of the remaining salt and half of the black pepper and paprika at this point
If you removed the meat earlier, now add it back and sprinkle some of the coriander and cumin over.
Stir for another 2-3 minutes
Fold-out all the rice over the meat, onions and carrots, spread it evenly, don’t stir
Make a hole in the rice with a handle of a wooden spoon, and pour the water through that hole slowly, taking care not to disturb the bottom ingredients.
Water should cover the rice by not more than 1/2 inch. Better under-water it than over-water.
Reserve the remaining water, if you have any.
Leave the heat at medium
Cover the pot tightly and let rice steam through for about 15 minutes without opening the pot
After 15 minutes toss in the remaining spices and salt. Cover again and keep steaming
Cut the top off the garlic head, slightly exposing the garlic cloves. You’ll need to use some effort to do it.
Stick the garlic head (exposed side down) into the middle of the steaming plov, about 3/4 way and cover again.
Steam for another 10 minutes or so.
Check plov once in a while for doneness — the top grains should be slightly firm, and the bottom ones — well done, but not mushy.
All water should evaporate, but not burn.
If you feel your plov is not done yet, but water is gone, make holes in the plov with the handle of the wooden spoon — all the way through to the bottom, and pour remaining salty water into those holes. Don’t abuse this technique, because it’s very easy to overcook the plov this way. Use very little water at a time.
Remove from heat and stir with wooden spoon, bringing the bottom ingredients up to the surface.
Rice should be slightly sticky, but all grains should easily separate and not be easily mashed with a spoon. Meat should be tender and juicy, and vegetables should be all very tender.
Enjoy plov with pomegranate salad, if you are up for it.
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