Pilau Masala Recipe from Kenya

The rich flavors in Pilau Masala are a staple in Kenyan cooking, often mixed into rice. These flavors reflect Kenya’s diverse culinary landscape, showcasing a blend of indigenous African spices with those brought over by traders and settlers.

We hope you enjoy this delectable spice mix as much as we do and that it connects you in a deeper way with our extended Kenyan family. If you’d like to learn more about what our Christ-centered and holistic children’s program is doing in Kenya, you can do so here.

Pilau Masala (Kenya)

Forward Edge International
The rich flavors in Pilau Masala are a staple in Kenyan cooking, often mixed into rice. These flavors reflect Kenya's diverse culinary landscape, showcasing a blend of indigenous African spices with those brought over by traders and settlers. Connect with our Kenya program by enjoying this recipe and learn how we're helping children in Kenya at www.forwardedge.org/kenya.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Course Spice Mix

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tbsp cloves
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds or 4 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 stick cinnamon or 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 Tbsp black peppercorn seeds or 1 Tbsp black pepper
  • 12 cardamon pods or 1 Tbsp ground cardamom

Instructions
 

  • Place the cumin, coriander, black peppers, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves in a dry pan.
  • Roast over low heat until warmed through and fragrant and blend (if using the whole spices, a coffee grinder can be used) until smooth.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months or refrigerate for up to 6 months.

Notes

You need just 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons for our Pilau with Beef recipe.
Keyword authentic, flavorful, kenya, pilau masala, spices, traditional
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Transform a Child's Life Through Sponsorship

Habari (hello), my name is Moses

  • location

    Kenya

  • 13 yrs. old

    09-17-2012

Entered the program: May 2025

Moses lives with his grandmother and older sister in a rented one-room wood house with a dirt floor and a sheet metal roof. The family has no furniture and uses candles for light. They share a poorly-constructed communal outdoor kitchen with neighbors that uses firewood for cooking. Water is fetched from a nearby river and boiled for drinking. The neighbors also share a communal pit latrine made of sheet metal that is in poor condition and there is no bathing facility.

Moses’s mother has addiction issues which prompted her to attempt drowning Moses and his sister in the river when they were younger, as she was struggling to care for them. Fortunately, they were rescued and taken to their grandmother who is raising them. His mother fled and her whereabouts are unknown.

Sponsorship Level What's this?

Three $38 sponsorships are needed to cover the complete holistic care of one child. Cover one, two, or three sponsorships.