Qaubuli Palau Yellow Rice with Carrots and Ground Beef

Elevate your dinner table with the fragrant and flavorful Qaubuli Palau, a stunning yellow rice dish layered with tender ground beef, sweet carrots, and plump raisins. This Afghan-inspired recipe features aromatic spices like cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and optional cardamom, creating a vibrant blend of savory and sweet. Perfectly cooked basmati rice provides the fluffy base, while sautéed julienned carrots and golden raisins add texture and bursts of sweetness. Garnished with slivered almonds for an optional crunch, this dish is a feast for the senses. Easy to prepare in under an hour, Qaubuli Palau is an ideal centerpiece for family meals or special gatherings, offering comforting yet exotic flavors in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Basmati rice
• 1 lb Ground beef
• 3 medium Carrots
• 0.5 cup Raisins
• 1 medium Onion
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 4 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 4 cups Water
• 0.25 cup Slivered almonds (optional)
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground cardamom (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the basmati rice in cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it in fresh water for 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Peel and julienne the carrots into thin matchstick pieces. Set aside.

Step 3

Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves.

Step 4

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until golden, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces. Season with salt, pepper, and cumin. Remove the mixture from the skillet and set aside.

Step 6

In the same skillet, heat another 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the julienned carrots and sauté until they soften and turn a light golden color, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 7

Add the raisins and a pinch of cinnamon to the carrots, stirring for about 1-2 minutes until the raisins plump up. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 8

In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the turmeric, a teaspoon of salt, and the drained basmati rice. Stir gently, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.

Step 9

Once the rice is cooked, gently fluff it with a fork. Layer the cooked ground beef on top of the rice, followed by the carrot and raisin mixture. Cover the pot with a lid and let it steam on low heat for an additional 10 minutes to blend the flavors.

Step 10

If desired, sprinkle slivered almonds and cardamom on top of the final dish before serving.

Step 11

Serve the Qaubuli Palau warm as a main course and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2348.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2519.7

Total Fat 149.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 41.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 33.9g
Cholesterol 321.1mg	0%
Sodium 2862.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 212.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.1g	0%
Total Sugars 70.1g
Protein 104.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 423.1mg	0%
Iron 20.3mg	0%
Potassium 3062.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.6%

Protein: 16.0%

Carbs: 32.5%