Festive Rice Pilaf - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. vegetable or safflower oil
1 large onion, minced
1 rib celery, minced
1 large carrot, minced
3/4 c. long grain brown rice
1/2 c. hulled sunflower seeds
1/2 sweet red pepper, seeded and diced
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. minced fresh thyme or 1 tsp. dried
2 1/2 c. beef or chicken stock
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper to taste (if desired)

Preparation

In large, heavy saucepan or pot, heat oil.
Add onion, celery and carrot; cook until onion is soft, about 7 minutes.
Add rice, sunflower seeds, red pepper, garlic and thyme.
Saute another 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add stock and bay leaf; cover tightly and simmer about 50 minutes, until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
If desired, sunflower seeds may be added at the end of cooking time to preserve crunchiness.
Makes about 4 servings.