Shah Plov – Azerbaijani Crown Pilaf Baked in Lavash
Ingredients:
Basmati rice
450 Grams
Salt
2 Tablespoons
for boiling the rice
Lamb shoulder
500 Grams
cut in 2 cm cubes
Onions
2
sliced
Butter
150 Grams
melted (ghee is even better)
Dried apricots
80 Grams
Raisins
60 Grams
Cooked chestnuts
100 Grams
optional
Ground cinnamon
0.5 Teaspoons
Saffron
1 pinch
bloomed in 3 tbsp hot water
Thin lavash bread
4
large sheets
Salt and black pepper
to taste
Preparation mode:
👉 Shah plov (“the king’s pilaf”) is the festive centrepiece of Azerbaijani cuisine: fragrant saffron rice, tender lamb, dried apricots, raisins and chestnuts, all baked inside a golden crust of buttered lavash. It’s turned out whole and cut open at the table.
It takes some time, but every step is simple – and the result is spectacular.
How to Make Shah Plov
- Soak the rice. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear and soak it in salted water for 1 hour.
- Cook the lamb. Brown the lamb in 2 tbsp butter, add the onions and cook until golden. Season with salt, pepper and cinnamon, add a splash of water, cover and simmer for 40 minutes until tender. Stir in the apricots, raisins and chestnuts for the last 10 minutes.
- Parboil the rice. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the drained rice and boil for 5–6 minutes until just al dente. Drain and mix with 3 tbsp melted butter and the saffron water.
- Line the pot. Brush a deep 24 cm (9–10 in) ovenproof pot with butter. Line it with overlapping lavash sheets, letting them hang over the edge, and brush with butter.
- Layer. Add a layer of rice, then the lamb and fruit, then the remaining rice. Fold the lavash over the top to close it like a parcel and brush with plenty of butter.
- Bake. Cover and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 40–45 minutes, until the lavash is golden and crisp.
- Serve. Turn the pot out onto a large plate so the golden “crown” sits on top. Cut it open at the table – that’s the show moment.
🛒 Kitchen Tools for This Recipe
- Professional 8-Inch Chef’s Knife – High-Carbon Stainless Steel – a sharp, heavy chef’s knife for meat and vegetables ($54.99, free shipping)
- Instant-Read Digital Meat Thermometer – checks oil and meat temperature instantly ($14.99, free shipping)
👉 More comfort food from around the world: 25 Cozy Comfort Food Recipes
Footnotes:
Why "Shah"? The golden lavash crown makes it look like a royal crown, so it's served at weddings and celebrations.
Tip: be generous with butter between the lavash sheets – that's what makes the crust crisp and golden.
Image: AI-generated food photo of the finished dish.