Fragrant Pilaf

Photo: flickr user avlxyz

Ingredients

3 lrgs Ripe tomatoes

1 teaspoon Black mustard seeds

2 tablespoons Olive oil

2 Garlic cloves, minced

1 Bay leaf

teaspoon Turmeric

1 cup Basmati rice, uncooked

3 cups Vegetable broth

2 cups Chickpeas, cooked

cup Cilantro

1 pch Cayenne

Preparation

Plunge the tomatoes into boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon & transfer to a bowl of iced water. Remove from the water & slip off their skins. Chop the tomatoes & set aside. In a large pot, saute the mustard seeds in the oil over a medium heat until they begin to sputter & pop. Add the garlic, bay leaf, turmeric & rice, stirring until the rice becomes translucent, 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes & reduce the heat to a simmer for 3 minutes. Add the broth, bring back to a boil,

Remove from the heat, add the cilantro & allow it to steam, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf, fluff with a fork, stirring in the cilantro.

Season with cayenne & serve.