Bahar Pilavı

Rice with Spring Greens 

• 3 T. Butter
• ½ lb. Meat Cubes (lamb or beef)
• 2 ½ c. Water
• 2 Carrots, grated
• ½ c. Peas, optional
• ½ c. Corn, optional
• 1 c. Rice, rinsed well
• 1 Beef Bullion Cube
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 4 Green Onions
• 5 sprigs Fresh Mint
• 6 sprigs Flat-Leaf Parsley
• 6 sprigs Fresh Dill

* Note: this special rice pilaf is a side dish at many iftar feasts during the month of Ramadan. However, I like to make it as a simple meal just for myself.  Since the meat, rice and vegetables are all dish together it is easy for a meal when I’m by myself.

1. Fry Butter & Meat Cubes together until browned.
2. Add Shredded Carrots (and other vegetable options if you choose) and fry for 2 minutes.
3. Add rinsed Rice and fry for another 2 minutes.
4. Stir in Salt, Water and Bullion. Cover and cook on low heat until rice is tender; stirring occasionally.
5. When rice is tender, add remaining ingredients (Garlic and Greens).
6. Cook for a few minutes until everything is well mixed and tender. Let rest a few minutes before serving so flavors fully blend. As I mentioned before, this is a tasty side dish for a really nice meal, or it can be a simple meal in and of itself.

Step #4: Frying Beef Cubes and Carrots together

End of step #6: Rice is getting tender and soaking in all the liquid (hard to get a clear pic because of so much steam)

Adding the Greens & Garlic, just need to stir everything and finish cooking

All done and ready to serve