The Muslim Uyghurs of Xinjiang province in China combine Chinese and Middle-Eastern influences. This is a sped-up version of making a pilaf, though they are very simple to make. If you have more time, cook the onion mixture first and add it to the rice at the beginning, then cook the dish at a simmer to allow the flavours to meld.
Ingredients
Method
1.Place lamb in a bowl, season with salt to taste, add 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper and 1 tsp cumin, and toss to coat. Heat a casserole or a wok over high heat. Add 1 tbsp oil and fry lamb in two batches until browned (3-4 minutes).
2.Return all lamb to casserole and add rice, stock, carrots and chilli. Cover with a lid, bring to the boil, reduce heat to medium-high and simmer rapidly until rice has absorbed liquid (8-10 minutes).
3.Meanwhile, heat remaining oil in a frying pan over mediumhigh heat. Add onion and stir-fry until light golden (4-5 minutes), then add ginger, garlic and remaining cumin and stir-fry until fragrant (1 minute).
4.Stir onion mixture through rice mixture, reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until rice and lamb are both tender and excess liquid has been absorbed (2-3 minutes).
5.Top pilaf with sultanas and coriander, and serve with cucumber salad and lemon
