Rice with Beef and Eastern Spices

Ingredients

• Beef, cut into large pieces
• American long-grain rice
• Finely ground beef
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• Sauce served with the rice:

Method

1. In a pot over the stove, sauté the beef pieces in oil or ghee with one dry onion cut into quarters and two garlic cloves.
2. When the beef takes some color, add the aromatics—bay leaves, a cinnamon stick, and cardamom pods—cover with water and leave to simmer until tender.
3. In a second pot, heat oil and sauté the finely minced beef, add the spices and salt, and when the minced beef is browned and cooked, add the soaked rice.
4. Cook the rice with the minced beef in the reserved beef cooking broth until the rice is done.
5. Accompanying sauce for the rice:
6. Place a quarter cup butter over the heat. When it melts, add a quarter cup flour and stir quickly, then begin adding small amounts of the beef broth gradually until you reach the desired consistency.
7. Add a pinch of salt, a pinch of black pepper, cinnamon, and sweet spice; bring the sauce to a boil, then turn off the heat.