pilaf
Americannoun
-
a Middle Eastern dish consisting of sautéed, seasoned rice steamed in bouillon, sometimes with poultry, meat or shellfish.
-
rice cooked in a meat or poultry broth.
Etymology
Origin of pilaf
1925–30; < Turkish pilâv < Persian pilāw
Explanation
A steaming bowl of pilaf brings together rice, spices, and sometimes vegetables or meat, all simmered together for a dish bursting with flavor. Pilaf is a culinary delight where rice is cooked in a flavorful broth, often enhanced with a mix of spices, and occasionally includes additions like vegetables or meats. This method of cooking, which likely originated in the Middle East and Central Asia, allows the rice to absorb rich flavors and achieve a fluffy texture. Pilaf can be a satisfying side or a hearty main dish, enjoyed in various cuisines worldwide for its delightful taste and comforting warmth.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Here are two entry-level examples: using citrus zest and juice in a salad dressing; and cooking scallion whites into a rice pilaf and then garnishing the finished dish with scallion greens.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 23, 2023
Do you want linguini, potato, rice pilaf or veggies?
From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2023
They parsed the novel’s winding sentences over cups of sweet tea and bowls of hand-pulled noodles and rice pilaf, Byler said.
From New York Times ● Sep. 14, 2022
Henry says her grandmother always served this chicken atop a bed of rice pilaf, but it would go equally well with polenta or mashed potatoes to help soak up the sauce.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 23, 2022
Hassan stood over us and gazed thoughtfully at the yellow carriage standing by the roadside, while the driver devoured pilaf at the door of the khan.
From By Desert Ways to Baghdad by Jebb, Louisa
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
