Carrot pilau with dates

(from The Boxing Clever Cook Book, serves 4-6)

4 tbsp vegetable oil
225g carrots, diced
1 medium onion, sliced
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
½ tsp ground turmeric
3 tbsp dark raisins
12 pitted dates, chopped
Freshly ground black pepper

Method

• Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan and fry the carrots, garlic and onion over a medium heat for about 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• Place rice into boiling water and boil rapidly until just cooked. Drain and rinse under cold water and add to carrot and onion.
• Put 2 tbsp of oil into a pan, add 2 tbsp of water and turmeric. Mix well.
• Mix rice, carrots, onion, raisins and dates together and add to the oil and turmeric mixture. Stir well.
• Cover the pan and cook over a low heat for 5 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining oil over the top. Cover again and cook for a further 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm.