Arroz Congri - Rice with Black Beans

Arroz Congri
 

Ingredients
2 cups cooked black beans 
2 tbsp olive oil
4 bay leaves
2 tsp cumin seeds 
3 cloves of garlic (minced)
2 onions (chopped)
2 bellpeppers(deseeded & diced)
1 tsp red chilli powder
1:2 tsp turmermeric powder (optional)
Dried oregano 
***
2  cups Basmati rice
Star anise
2  cardamoms
A cinnamon stick + 2 cloves 
1 chicken stock cube
3 cups water
***
Freshly ground black pepper
Coriander leaves
Method.
Heat the oil in a pan & fry chopped garlic.
Fry for a while & then add chopped onions & bell pepper.
Then add cooked black beans along red chilli powder, turmeric powder& cumin powder.
Cover & cook for a while. 
Remove from fire & garnish with dried oregano ;
***
Boil water with stock cube & keep aside.
Heat olive oil  in a sauce pan.
Add Cinnamon, cardomom,star anise & cloves.
When aroma of the spices rises add basmati rice.
When some rice grains change to light brown, add boiled water.
Bring to the boil, cover tightly and simmer until the rice is tender.
When the water has been absorbed, reduce the heat.
When rice is 3/4 cooked remove from fire .
Close the lid tightly. Stir occassionaly with a wooden spatule.
When fully cooked remove the lid, add the prepared black beans.
Toss gently & then remove from fire .
Garnish with freshly ground pepper & coriander leaves.
Serve hot with Raita & Chutney.