Iskudheh Karis

Name: Iskudheh Karis
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Djiboutian
Ingredients: 500g beef, cubed; 400g basmati rice, rinsed; 2 large onions, diced; 3 tomatoes, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp coriander; 3 cardamom pods; 1 cinnamon stick; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 750ml water; Salt to taste; Fresh cilantro

Iskudheh Karis (is-KU-deh KA-ris)

One-Pot Rice and Meat

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour 15 min

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 474 kcal

A fragrant one-pot dish of rice and tender beef simmered together with tomatoes, onions, and a warm spice blend until the rice absorbs all the rich, meaty juices.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 26.0g

Carbs 52.0g

Fat 18.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free dairy-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

large heavy pot with lid sharp knife wooden spoon cutting board

Presentation Guide

Vessel: large communal platter

Garnishes: fresh cilantro, fried onions

Accompaniments: salad, banana

Ingredients

500g beef, cubed
400g basmati rice, rinsed
2 large onions, diced
3 tomatoes, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp coriander
3 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
3 tbsp vegetable oil
750ml water
Salt to taste
Fresh cilantro

Instructions

1
Heat oil in a large pot. Brown the beef cubes in batches for five minutes until seared on all sides. Remove and set aside.
2
Saute onions in the same pot for six minutes until golden. Add garlic, cumin, turmeric, coriander, cardamom, and cinnamon, stirring for one minute.
3
Add tomatoes and cook for four minutes until softened. Return beef to the pot, add water, and bring to a boil.
4
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for thirty minutes until beef is nearly tender.
5
Add the rinsed rice, stir gently, and add more water if needed to cover rice by one centimeter. Cover tightly and cook on very low heat for twenty minutes.
6
Remove from heat, keep covered for five minutes. Fluff with a fork, remove whole spices, garnish with cilantro, and serve.

💡

Did You Know?

Iskudheh karis literally means "mixed together and cooked" in Somali, perfectly describing the one-pot method where rice and meat cook together.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large heavy pot with lid
sharp knife
wooden spoon
cutting board

Garnishing

fresh cilantro, fried onions

Accompaniments

salad, banana

The Story Behind Iskudheh Karis

Iskudheh karis is the quintessential Djiboutian family meal, combining the economy of one-pot cooking with layers of complex flavor. The dish evolved from the practical needs of large Djiboutian families cooking over a single fire. By simmering rice and meat together, the rice absorbs the deeply flavored broth, creating a dish far more flavorful than its components would be separately. It appears on lunch tables across the country and is the dish most Djiboutians associate with home and family.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch 📜 Origins: Traditional Somali-Djiboutian one-pot cooking

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