Brown Rice and Black Eyed Pea Pilaf- Vegan Rice Dish

This Black Eyed Pea Rice Pilaf is a nice way to have a protein packed vegetarian rice dish. You can eat is as a main dish or accompanied with a salad and other curries.  This dish is also a great way to use up leftover rice.

Step 1: The Rice
Before you start, cook your brown rice with a little salt until you have at least 5-6 cups of cooked rice.  You can substitute white rice if you like.  I like to use Basmati rice because it has a nutty flavor and the grains are always light and fluffy.  I like to allow my rice too cool down before I fry it with the other ingredients, but this is not necessary.  Cold rice is perfectly fine to use for this dish, that is why this is a great way to jazz up leftover rice.

Rice cooking notes:  One cup of rice usually yields 3 cups of cooked rice so two cups of uncooked rice should give you enough cooked rice for this pilaf.  Also use a two/one ration of  water to rice to get nice fluffy rice for brown rice.  If you decide to use white rice,  use 1 1/2 cups of water per cup of uncooked rice for fluffy white rice.  Always remember to rinse your rice well before cooking it.  

Step 2: Creating the Pilaf

In a large pan, add 1 Tbs of oil on medium-high heat. 
Then add:
1 tsp of cumin seed
10-15 curry leaves
1 small cinnamon stick
3-4 green cardamom pods
3-4 black cloves
Fry all ingredients for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Now add:
1 onion chopped
2 carrots grated
1-2 green chilies seeded and diced
1 Tbs of garlic grated
1 Tbs of ginger grated
Salt to taste
Saute well until onions soften.

 Add one can of drained and rinsed black eyed peas.  Stir well.

*If you like to make this spicier, you can also add some red chili flakes.

Add your 5-6 cups of  cooked rice and mix well.  Once everything is well incorporated, taste for salt.  Season as necessary.

Serves 4-6 people.  Garnish with green onions and cilantro if you wish.  Enjoy.

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