Pilau is one of the most-cherished dishes in Kenya. From weddings to funerals, the aromatic, spice-laden rice is a staple feature, so much so that for many, a celebration hardly feels complete without it. This popularity, however, has given rise to many interpretations, raising the simple question: what actually makes pilau, pilau?
Qamili Dave, a professional chef and content creator in Mombasa, says pilau is not pilau if it lacks meat (preferably chicken), potatoes, and five main spices: cardamom, cinnamon, clove, black pepper and cumin, the core ingredients in her recipe, which she inherited from her mother.
