Veggie Pilaf

First announcement.. I got a new spice rack! My spices were all piled in a little cupboard before this, resulting in much cursing during cooking when I couldn't find the one I wanted at a crucial stage. I also mistook chilli powder for paprika a few times, so there was that. Bad times. Real issues.

But look how gorgeous now:

It's just so.. Beautiful. Organised alphabetically. My life is changed.

Okay, back to the serious business of food going in my mouth. This was one of the first Indian-style dishes I ever made. And I was hooked. I pretty much make this once a month at least. It can easily be changed to add chicken if you fancy that, just fry it off at the start. However, this is plenty flavourful without the addition of chicken. As so often happens with delicious, spicy Indian food, it is almost better as leftovers, and for making colleagues jealous at lunch the day after.

Good things about this meal: quick, easy, and delicious.

Bad things: NONE.

serves 2 as a main or 4 as a side

Ingredients

• 1 tsp oil
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• small red onion, diced
• half a red pepper, sliced
• 2 tsp curry powder
• 1tsp ground coriander
• 1tsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp chilli powder
• 1 green chilli, seeds out or in, depending on your spice preference.
• a handful of fresh peas
• 200g basmati rice
• 600ml chicken stock

Method

Chop the onion, pepper, chilli and garlic.

Heat the oil in a decent sized pan or saucepan and fry the garlic, onion and pepper for approximately 5 minutes.

Measure out your spices.

Is there any more beautiful sight than that of measured out spices, waiting to liven up a meal?

Add them to the pan, stirring to ensure the vegetables are coated. 

Throw in the peas, rice and chilli.

Stir well.

Add in the chicken stock and bring to the boil. 

Throw in the chillis at this point if you forgot to put them in earlier.

Let simmer for 15 minutes until the rice is cooked through. Can be served on it's own as a main meal, or as a side for a curry dish.

Below you can see it all packaged up for lunches.

Delicious hot or cold.