Organic Brown Rice Pea Pilau

Organic Brown Rice Pea Pilau brings brown rice, peas, tomato, onion, cumin, and warm whole spices into a single covered pot. The recipe is more substantial than a plain rice side but still keeps the seasoning restrained.

Cumin seeds are heated first, followed by onion, tomato, cloves, garlic, and turmeric. The brown rice is stirred into that base before water is added, so the grain begins cooking with the aromatics already distributed through the pot.

The peas are added near the end rather than at the beginning. That timing lets the brown rice cook almost fully before the peas finish the dish, helping them keep more color and texture.

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons good oil
• 1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
• 1 onion, sliced lengthwise, about 1 1/2 cups
• 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cloves
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 cup organic short-grain brown rice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 cups water
• 3/4 cup peas

Method

Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle for 30 seconds. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions, and sauté until golden, about 3–4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, cloves, garlic, and turmeric and cook until the tomatoes soften. Stir in the rice and salt, add the water, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 35 minutes. Stir in the peas, cover again, and continue cooking for another 10–15 minutes until the rice is done. Remove the cloves before serving. Makes 3–4 servings.