Aromatic Peas and Carrot Pilaf for one

Ingredients

• 1/4 small onion, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or garlic paste (You can use minced fresh garlic, to your taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon butter or ghee or margarine
• 1/4 cup basmati rice or long-grain rice
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin seed
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4-5 peppercorns
• 4-5 cloves
• 1/4 cup carrot, sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh peas or frozen peas
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 3/4-1 cup water
• pepper (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Wash the rice well; drain.

2. 2

   Melt butter/margarine/ghee in a saucepan over low to medium heat.

3. 3

   Saute garlic paste/powder/minced garlic in butter for about 15 seconds, then add the chopped onions and saute until browned, about 5-10 minutes.

4. 4

   Add the rice, cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, and cloves to the onion-garlic mixture and saute for 10-15 minutes or until the rice is evenly browned.

5. 5

   Now add carrots, peas, salt, and water, stir, bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook, without stirring, until the rice is tender, about 15-20 minutes.

6. 6

   Uncover and evaporate excess water if any, remove from flame, and fluff up with a fork.

7. 7

   Season with extra salt and pepper, if necessary, and serve hot!