Photo: Leah Lizarondo

Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients

• A few tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 onions, diced
• 5 or 6 carrots thinly sliced or coarsely grated
• 2 cups prepared chickpeas (either soaked for 24 hours or cooked)
• 6 cups water or vegetable broth
• Sea salt to taste
• 3 cups uncooked rice
• 1 tsp, peppercorns, 2 Tbsp. coriander seeds and 2 Tbsp. cumin seeds, ground together (optional)
• 1 head of garlic per person, top trimmed
• Handful of chopped almonds
• Hot chili peppers (optional)

Directions

Coat the bottom of a large pot with oil.

Sauté onions until they start to brown. Add spices, if using. Add carrots and sauté for 5 to 10 minutes.

Add chickpeas and water or broth with sea salt to taste. As soon as the water starts boiling, add rice, along with garlic if using, and let cook for 20 minutes or until done.

Top with chopped almonds and pepper (if using). Serve in bowls, giving each person a head of the cooked garlic.