Considered the national dish of Uzbekistan, plov is a robust blend of rice, meat, onions, carrots and spices. It’s served as a dish for everyday meals, as well as at celebratory gatherings. In our simplified, pantry-centric version featuring chicken thighs (lamb or beef are traditional), both the meat and the cumin—a key seasoning for plov—are first browned to develop deep, rich flavor. Be sure to soak and rinse the rice before adding it to the pot; this ensures that the grains will cook up light and separate.