Paloo is the Kirgiz version of a dish that in the Central Asia is commonly called Plov. It’s made of pieces of meat (usually mutton or beef, sometimes chicken) fried in a big qazan (a cast iron cauldron) and mixed with fried chopped carrots, jiuicai (Chinese chive) and cooked rice. The dish is garnished with fried garlic cloves and red peppers. Shirin Paloo is a vegetarian dish where meat has been replaced with dried fruits, such as prunes, apricots and raisins.

The sweetness of caramelized pears melds beautifully with the richness of Taleggio cheese, while crunchy walnuts add the perfect contrast. Ideal for a cozy evening or to impress at a dinner party, this risotto is comfort food elevated to a form of art. Enjoy!