Qabili Palau (Afghanistan)

An authentic recipe for Afghanistan's famous Qabili Palau, combining fragrant basmati rice, tender braised lamb, and sweet carrot and raisin toppings.

Level Hard Prep 40 min Cook 120 min Servings 6 Score 4.9/10

Ready in

160 min

Makes 6 servings

Prep 40m

Cook 120m

Level Hard

About this recipe

An authentic recipe for Afghanistan's famous Qabili Palau, combining fragrant basmati rice, tender braised lamb, and sweet carrot and raisin toppings.

Afghanistan's national crown jewel dish featuring spiced rice, tender lamb, carrots, and raisins.

Instructions

Heat oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot and brown the chopped onions until golden brown.
Add the lamb chunks, minced garlic, garam masala, cumin, cracked cardamom pods, and salt. Sear the meat on all sides.
Pour in water or broth, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat for about 1.5 hours until the lamb is tender. Remove the meat and set aside, keeping the rich broth in the pot.
90 min
In a separate pan, sauté the julienned carrots with sugar and a little oil or water until caramelized and soft. Add the golden raisins for the last 2 minutes until plumped, then set aside.
Add the soaked and drained basmati rice into the remaining lamb broth, adding more water if needed, and cook until the liquid is mostly absorbed.
Layer the tender lamb underneath the rice, top with the caramelized carrots and raisins, cover tightly with a lid, and steam (demit) on very low heat for 30 minutes.
30 min

Nutrition

Calories 580

Protein 28g

Carbs 64g

Fat 24g

Fiber 4g

Sugar 12g

Sodium 520mg

Serving Size 1 serving

Cooking Timeline

Prep 40 min

Cook 120 min

Total 160 min

Recipe Scorecard

Overall 9.5 /10

Expert 4.9 95% conf.

Taste 9.8
Presentation 9.6
Nutrition 8.0
Value 9.2
Instructions 9.4
Ingredients 9.5
Time Accuracy 9.0
Difficulty 7.5
Would Make Again 9.0

Expert Review

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

Verdict

An incredible masterpiece of Afghan cuisine blending aromatic spices, tender meat, and sweet caramelized toppings.

Pros

Deeply rich flavor profile
Melt-in-your-mouth lamb
Stunning presentation

Cons

Requires multiple steps and cooking phases

Overview

Afghanistan's national crown jewel dish featuring spiced rice, tender lamb, carrots, and raisins.

AI Insights

Summary

An authentic recipe for Afghanistan's famous Qabili Palau, combining fragrant basmati rice, tender braised lamb, and sweet carrot and raisin toppings.

Tips

Soak the basmati rice in salted warm water for at least 2 hours to ensure long, fluffy grains
Bury the cooked lamb deep under the rice while steaming so it stays ultra-moist and absorbs all the aromas
Garnish with toasted slivered almonds or pistachios for added crunch