Vegan Chick-Peas and Brown Rice

Submitted by kathleenkirbyturner

"Appropriate for the 21 day Quantum Wellness Cleanse. My kids are not fond of brown rice, but I've found if I soak the rice for hours and cook it in a little extra water they'll eat it. I'll usually rinse the rice and set it out to soak some time in the morning. Then it's ready to cook at dinner time. I use a rice cooker every time I cook rice - it's the only way!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 20mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 2 cups brown rice, uncooked
• water, to rinse the rice, more to soak the rice, still more to cook the rice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup red onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 cup cabbage, shredded
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 (15 ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

directions

1. Rinse the rice thoroughly. In a large bowl, allow the rice to soak for as long as possible. If you don't have time for this step, the rice will be perfectly fine to eat, it's just a bit chewy. My kids find the rice more palatable if it has soaked for quite a while. I usually put it on to soak right after breakfast.
2. An hour or so before you plan to cook dinner, pour off the soaking water and cook the rice however you normally do so. I use a rice cooker and would use 4 cups of water to cook 2 cups of brown rice.
3. Heat the oil in a large non-stick fry pan over medium high heat. Add the onions. Cook and stir frequently for 2 minutes, or until tender. Add the red peppers. Stir for 2 minutes. Add the cabbage and garlic. Stir fry an additional 4 minutes.
4. Stir in the tomatoes, chick-peas and vinegar. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the liquid released from the tomatoes is slightly reduced. Stir in the kidney beans, cook for 2 minutes or until heated through.
5. Sprinkle the parsley over all, serve with the brown rice.