pilaf

American  

[pi-lahf, pee-lahf] / pɪˈlɑf, ˈpi lɑf /

Also pilaff,

noun

1. a Middle Eastern dish consisting of sautéed, seasoned rice steamed in bouillon, sometimes with poultry, meat or shellfish.

2. rice cooked in a meat or poultry broth.

---

Etymology

Origin of pilaf

1925–30; < Turkish pilâv < Persian pilāw

Explanation

A steaming bowl of pilaf brings together rice, spices, and sometimes vegetables or meat, all simmered together for a dish bursting with flavor. Pilaf is a culinary delight where rice is cooked in a flavorful broth, often enhanced with a mix of spices, and occasionally includes additions like vegetables or meats. This method of cooking, which likely originated in the Middle East and Central Asia, allows the rice to absorb rich flavors and achieve a fluffy texture. Pilaf can be a satisfying side or a hearty main dish, enjoyed in various cuisines worldwide for its delightful taste and comforting warmth.

Example Sentences

Here are two entry-level examples: using citrus zest and juice in a salad dressing; and cooking scallion whites into a rice pilaf and then garnishing the finished dish with scallion greens.

From Washington Times • Jun. 23, 2023

Do you want linguini, potato, rice pilaf or veggies?

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2023

I love this one-pot, veggie-forward pilaf because I can easily make a ton of it and then eat it for days on end without ever getting bored.

From Salon • Feb. 3, 2023

They parsed the novel’s winding sentences over cups of sweet tea and bowls of hand-pulled noodles and rice pilaf, Byler said.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2022

The Kaimakan was sitting on his carpet, and on a low table before him steamed a dish of pilaf, that is, sheep's flesh mixed with rice; beside him lay two bamboo canes.

From Pretty Michal by Jókai, Mór

Related Words

• brown rice