Sweet Zucchini Rice

Inspired by Manjula's Zucchini Rice... thank you!

Recommendation: DON'T make as much as I did. 3 cups of rice is just too much.

Ingredients: 1 ~1.5 foot long zucchini, 3 cups basmati rice, cinnamon stick, 2 bay leaves, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, salt, lemon juice, red pepper

Heat oil in a heavy saucepan over medium high heat. Test the heat by adding one cumin seed to oil; if the cumin cracks right away oil is ready.

Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds to the oil (~1/2 teaspoon of each). After seeds crack add red pepper and bay leaves. Add rice and stir-fry for about 2 minutes. Rice will be done when you no longer hear a "crackle".

Per cup of rice, add 2 cups of water. Now add water, zucchini, salt and lemon juice. Stir and bring to a boil.

After rice comes to a boil turn the heat down to low and cover the pan. Cook rice for about fifteen minutes or until the rice is tender and the water has evaporated.