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
community

Pikliz Recipe from Haiti

Pikliz is a spicy, tangy condiment made primarily from pickled cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, onions, and Scotch bonnet peppers, seasoned with vinegar and spices. It adds a burst of flavor to Haitian dishes, particularly fried foods like griot (fried pork) and fried plantains, yum! Pikliz is often made in large

Go to Blog »
joseph anfuso

Serendestiny During a Pandemic

If there’s one thing the Covid-19 pandemic has made abundantly clear it’s that none of us are fully in control of our lives. What we can control, though, are our choices. And those choices ultimately determine the story of our lives. Several years ago, I coined a word that conveys

Go to Blog »
Carlota de limon

Carlota de Limón Recipe from Mexico

For many, carlota de limón is a nostalgic flavor of their childhood. We’re excited for this opportunity to share this recipe, which is near and dear to our Mexico program staff. In our Mexico children’s program, our two amazing cooks prepare meals 7 days a week for children. If you’ve

Go to Blog »
Building Connections

Capturing Connection: Photography on the Mission Field

Photography is more than just a way to document your mission trip—it’s a bridge to connection, a chance to honor the stories of those you encounter. As you step into communities, camera in hand, pause to reflect. Are you capturing moments with care and respect? Are your photos fostering dignity rather than reducing people to subjects?

Go to Blog »

Pikliz Recipe from Haiti

Pikliz is a spicy, tangy condiment made primarily from pickled cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, onions, and Scotch bonnet peppers, seasoned with vinegar and spices. It

Read More »
Transform a Child's Life Through Sponsorship

Habari (hello), my name is Jayden

  • location

    Kenya

  • 5 yrs. old

    05-05-2020

Entered the program: May 2025

Jayden lives with his mother and two siblings in a rented one-room sheet metal house with electric lighting that is not reliable. They have an outdoor kitchen and use firewood for cooking. Water is drawn from a well which is boiled for drinking. The family shares a communal bathroom facility and pit latrine that is in good condition.

Jayden’s mother is a single parent. She was forced to leave her husband who was threatening physical abuse to her and the children, and has substance abuse issues. Jayden’s mother later had a motorcycle accident that left her with serious injuries to her arm and leg which prevent her from being able to work.

Jayden’s older brother, David, is also in the Mama Beth program.


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.