Ghābeli Palāu

Name: Ghābeli Palāu (Afghan Rice Pilaf with Lamb)
Cuisine: Afghan
Ingredients: 1 cinnamon stick; 2 brown cardamom pods; 2 teaspoons green cardamom pods; 2 teaspoons cumin seeds; 2 teaspoons coriander seeds; ½ teaspoon black peppercorns; ¼ teaspoon whole cloves; 1 large onion, quartered; 5 cloves garlic; 2 tomatoes, quartered; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 tablespoon paprika; 1 tablespoon ground coriander; 2 lamb shanks (about 3 lb/1.4 kg total); 2 teaspoons Afghan char masala; 8 cups (1.9 l) water; 2 tablespoons sea salt; 2 cups (400 g) basmati rice, soaked for 1 hour and rinsed; 2 tablespoons neutral oil; 4 carrots (about ¾ lb/340 g total), cut into thin matchsticks; ½ teaspoon ground cardamom; ½ cup (85 g) raisins; ½ cup (60 g) dried cranberries; ¼ cup (50 g) sugar, or to taste; ½ cup (60 g) slivered almonds; ½ cup (60 g) pistachios, coarsely chopped; Zest of 1 orange

Afghan Rice Pilaf with Lamb

Preparation info

Makes
4
servings

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Bitter & Sweet

By Omid Roustaei and Lauren Ko

Published 2025

About

In 2021, many Afghans were displaced from their native land, and numerous communities came together to support these refugees and asylees. During this time, I had the privilege of partnering with a kindred spirit, Nasrin Noori, a talented Seattle-based Afghan chef and restaurateur.

Our joint efforts culminated in an online event to raise awareness and generate vital funds for Afghan refugees who had recently arrived in the United States. We highlighted Afghanistan’s

Ingredients

Asia
Afghanistan
Main course
Gluten-free

Ingredients

Method