Azerbaijani Plov Recipe - Traditional Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 lb boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 3 medium carrots, julienned
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, sliced
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 1/4 cup barberries (or dried cranberries as substitute)
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground saffron, steeped in 2 tbsp hot water
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt (plus more for rice water)
• 1 head garlic, top trimmed
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped (for garnish)