Mushroom Pilau

There are days when I feel like just a simple meal.  Rice is always my go-to comfort food, and it makes me happy.   Occasionally a bowl of flavorful rice just hits the spot. One does not always have to accompany rice with spicy curries or accompaniments.
You can use any left over vegetables to make this pilau, but I am a fan of mushrooms and I had a pint of cherry tomatoes that were beginning to shrink so I prepared this simple pilau.
Note: I used an electric rice cooker to make my pilau, but you can do it on a stove top if you normally make your pilau on the stove.

Ingredients

8 ounces Mushrooms or 1 pint container
1 pint container grape tomatoes cut in half, or any other you have on hand chopped
1 large onion sliced
4 large cloves of garlic
Whole spices
8 black pepper corns
8 cloves
2 inch piece of cinnamon
6 green cardamon pods
Salt to taste (I used 2 teaspoons)

2 cups basmati rice, washed and soaked for 15 minutes minimum

Procedure

Wash the rice in water until the water runs clear.  Add fresh water to cover the rice and then let it sit for at least 15 minutes

While the rice is soaking chop all your ingredients. Keep them close by.

Put 1 tablespoon of oil in the rice cooker and turn it on.

When the oil is hot add the onions, garlic and whole spices.

Stir for a few minutes until the onions are translucent. Then add the mushrooms and stir to mix well.

 Cook till the mushrooms are slightly browned and reduced in size ( about 3 minutes)

Add the tomatoes and 1 teaspoon of salt and stir well.

Cook the tomato down till it has changed color and is cooked. If using grape tomatoes use the flat side of a spatula to squash any full pieces to release the juices.

Finally add the drained rice, remaining teaspoon of salt, and water according to your rice cooker instructions (less 1/4 cup of water to allow for the juices that will come out of the vegetables).  For my rice cooker I add one more cup of water than the quantity of rice.  So for 2 cups of rice, I have to add 3 cups water.  For this recipe I add 2 plus 3/4 cups water
Cover and turn on the cook button.  When ready gently flake the rice with a fork to break down any lumps. It is now ready to eat.
Enjoy with toasted almonds, crispy fried onions,  pickles or just as it is.

Approximate nutritional values per serving (total servings 8)

• Calories 199.0
• Total Fat 1.8 g
• Saturated Fat 0.3 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2 g
• Monounsaturated Fat 1.2 g
• Cholesterol 0.0 mg
• Sodium 8.2 mg
• Potassium 37.4 mg
• Total Carbohydrate 40.8 g
• Dietary Fiber 1.3 g
• Sugars 2.2 g
• Protein 4.7 g

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.