saint-heleniandinner

Plo

Name: Plo
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: saint-helenian
Ingredients: 800 g chicken pieces; 400 g long-grain rice (rinsed); 2 carrots (diced); 100 g frozen peas; 1 tsp mixed spice; 1 medium onion (chopped)

Saint Helena's traditional spiced rice dish slow-cooked with chicken and vegetables.

Prep

20 min

Cook

45 min

Servings

Difficulty

Medium

★★★★★

4.7(134 ratings)

#rice#chicken#spiced#one-pot#island

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About This Recipe

Plo is Saint Helena's most distinctive dish, a spiced one-pot rice similar to pilaf, shaped by the island's multicultural heritage of African, Asian and European influences. Chicken, carrots and peas are cooked together with fragrant spices in a single pot for a satisfying family meal.

Ingredients

Serves 6

800 gchicken pieces
400 glong-grain rice(rinsed)
2carrots(diced)
100 gfrozen peas
1 tspmixed spice
1 mediumonion(chopped)

Instructions

1
Brown chicken
Brown chicken pieces in oil in a large pot. Remove and set aside.
2
Sauté vegetables
In the same pot, fry onion and carrots 5 minutes. Add mixed spice and stir.
3
Add chicken back
Return chicken to pot, add 900 ml water, season generously with salt.
4
Cook rice
Bring to a boil, add rinsed rice, stir once, cover tightly and cook on low 20 minutes.
5
Finish and serve
Stir in peas, replace lid for 5 minutes. Fluff and serve.

Pro Tips

→
Resist lifting the lid while rice cooks.
→
Use chicken broth instead of water for more flavour.

Variations

•
Plo with lamb
•
Add raisins for sweet contrast

Storage

Refrigerate up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of water.

History & Origin

Plo is believed to have origins in the diverse colonial workforce that settled Saint Helena, blending South Asian pilaf traditions with African and European ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mixed spice the same as allspice?

No — British mixed spice is a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Allspice can be used as a substitute.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving · 6 servings total

Calories490kcal

Protein36g

Carbohydrates54g

Fat12g

Fiber3g

Protein36g

Carbs54g

Fat12g

Time Summary

Prep time20 min

Cook time45 min

Total time65 min

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Instructions

Brown chicken

Brown chicken pieces in oil in a large pot. Remove and set aside.

Sauté vegetables

In the same pot, fry onion and carrots 5 minutes. Add mixed spice and stir.

Add chicken back

Return chicken to pot, add 900 ml water, season generously with salt.

Cook rice

Bring to a boil, add rinsed rice, stir once, cover tightly and cook on low 20 minutes.

Finish and serve

Stir in peas, replace lid for 5 minutes. Fluff and serve.