Fava Beans and Chickpea Pilaf

Forgive me for the crudeness of this post and the absence of cooking pics.This recipe was my first one to be posted  in 2011 on the well known website chefinyou.com.
http://chefinyou.com/member-recipes/fava-beans-and-chickpea-pilaf/
From that time I dreamed of posting my own recipes which has materialized now.But I wish to include this as my very first post as a start to blogging recipes.Its a very delicious one pot meal and is absolutely wonderful with yogurt or pickles.Its made with Fava Beans and Chickpeas.

NOTE – Some people may be allergic to Fava Beans.If you know you are allergic then please omit them and only use Chickpeas or whatever beans you like.But proceed with caution!

For areas in which Fava Beans are not available you can opt for plain chickpeas or to make the dish more protein packed use black-eyed beans(chawli),lima beans,Kidney beans(rajma) or red cow beans.This dish is superb as a lunch box pack or for picnics and travel.When sometimes you feel lazy to do rice,dal and veggies this is the treat for you A one pot meal packed with protein this is a tummy filler alright!

Makes – 4 servings
Preparation time – 45 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups Basmati Rice
1 cup Fava Beans and Chickpeas(1/2 cup of both) soaked overnight and boiled till soft
Salt to taste
1 Big onion -sliced
1 Tomato – chopped
2 green chilies – finely minced
2 pods garlic – crushed(optional)
1 inch piece ginger
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp Kitchen King/Garam Masala(MDH Kitchen King works best)
2 Bay Leaves
A pinch of powdered Cardamom
4 tbsp oil

Method

Soak rice for 30 minutes and drain.Grind onion,tomato,green chilies,ginger and garlic to a fine paste.Heat 1 tbsp of oil.Add one Bay Leaf and cardamom.Fry on low heat till they release their aromas.Add the paste and fry until the oil floats on top and the smell of raw onion disappears.

Add salt,turmeric and Masala and cook for 5 minutes on medium-low heat.Add the beans and Chickpeas with 1/2 cup of water and cook covered for 10 minutes and then uncovered for 10 minutes more till all the water is absorbed.Keep aside to cool.
Heat another tbsp oil in a pan on medium heat and add the other Bay Leaf.Fry for a minute and add rice.Saute on low heat till rice is translucent and gives out its lovely aroma.Do not overcook as the grains may break.Add beans and stir to mix till everything is incorporated very well.
Now you can cook in one of the following ways:
1.Pour 3 cups of water into the pan with the mixed rice and beans and cook covered till done and the rice is fork tender.
2.Ladle the rice mixture into a rice cooker and add 3 cups of water.Cook till done.
3.Fry the rice in a pressure cooker and then add the beans.Add water and pressure cook till done.

Open the lid of the vessel and fluff out the grains with a fork without breaking them.
Serve this with any Raita,Chutney or Pickle of your choice.I served it with Chetumanga Kari.