Pomegranate And Vegetable Rice Pilaf for POM wonderful contest!

Pomegranates are in season and I thought I would make Pomegranate and Vegetable rice Pilaf today. It was way too delicious! It is a perfect comfort food during winter and makes a wonderful one pot meal!
I am sending this recipe to POM Wonderful Contest for a chance to win 5000$ and Foodieblogroll Contest which is giving away cases of pomegranate products to the participants. If you didn't know about these contests, hurry up! View the above links for more details!

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4

Ingredients:
Cumin seeds-1 tsp
Cloves-3
Cinnamon-1 inch stick
Thinly sliced garlic-1 pod
Thinly sliced ginger-1/2 tsp
Slit green chilli-1
Star Anise(optional)-1
Cashews-5
Pomegranate arils from 1 POM wonderful fresh fruit-1 cup
Thinly sliced Onion-1 cup
Frozen Corn-1/4 cup
Frozen peas-1/4 cup
White Basmathi rice(available in any grocery store)-1 cup uncooked
Salt-to taste
Oil-3 tbsp
Pepper powder-1/4 tsp
Finely chopped cilantro-1 tsp

Method:

Rinse the rice with water 1 or 2 times and soak in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes and cook it in the rice cooker and set aside once it is done.

Heat oil in a wide pan. Add cumin seeds. When they crackle, add cloves, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, star anise, green chilli, cashew and fry for 15 seconds. The spices will start to release their aroma.

Now add onions, some salt and fry till they turn golden brown. Add pomegranate arils, thawed corn and peas. Stir for a couple of minutes.

Add warm cooked rice, salt and pepper to the veggies and mix everything well. Turn off the heat.

Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Serve hot with plain yogurt or your favorite potato chips.

Healthy pomegranate and vegetable rice pilaf is ready!

Pomegranates are rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin B5. Consuming pomegranate juice reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. It is also associated with lowering of blood pressure.