Basmati Rice Dinner or Side Dish

Main Ingredient: Royal Basmati Rice.

Total Time: 60 minutes.

• Prep, 15minutes

• Cooking, 45minutes

Ingredients:

   •   2 cups royal basmati rice

   •   1 tbsp neutral flavored oil(optional)

   •   1 onion thinly sliced

   •   1 tsp tumeric

   •   1 pinch cinnamon

   •   1 pinch ground cumin

   •   1 can chickpeas(15 ounces) rinsed & drained

   •   1/2 cup raisins

    •   1/2 cup dates(pits removed) chopped

   •   Salt and pepper to taste

    •   Mediterranean cucumber and tomato salad (for garnish)

Yield: 4 servings of Royal Basmati Rice.

DIRECTIONS:

How to cook Basmati Rice:

1. Pour the rice into a medium-sized pot.

2. Fill up the pot halfway and rinse the water. Discard the water.

3. Repeat this step 2-3times. Rinse until the water becomes clear. Again, discard the water.

4. Add the 4 cups of water, vegetable oil and salt.

5. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat.

6.  Allow the water to continue to boil until it has been absorbed by the rice(roughly 5 minutes).

7. Turn the heat down to low and cover the rice.

8. Cook for 30-40minutes.

How to Mix in the cooked Basmati Rice:

1. Heat the olive oil(if using) or 2 tbsp of water in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until soft.

2. Add the tumeric, cinnamon, cumin, raisins, dates and garbanzo beans, and stir until well combined & heated through.

3. Finally, add the cooked rice to the skillet & carefully fold in.

4. Taste, add salt & pepper if desired.

5. Dice up cucumber and fresh tomato as side garnish.