This is a recipe adapted from Madhur Jaffrey’s first book, An Invitation to Indian Cooking, written when none of us knew the spices and hot peppers that she introduced us to. It’s a simple dish that makes your leftover rice come alive in surprising ways. You can eat it just as is for a light lunch or supper, or as an accompaniment to a Western meat course. I like it alone with some Cucumber Raita (page 163) alongside.

Ingredients

　　About 1/3 medium onion, finely chopped

　　3 medium mushrooms, chopped into small dice

　　1/4–1/3 hot green chili, thinly sliced

　　1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

　　1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

　　2/3 cup cooked rice

　　2–3 tablespoons chicken or beef broth or water

　　Salt

　　A sprinkling of chopped coriander leaves (optional)

　　Heat the oil in a small skillet, and add the onion. Sauté for a few minutes, then add the mushrooms and continue to sauté, stirring, 3 or 4 minutes. Toss in the sliced chili, and after a minute add the cumin, the coriander, and the rice. Stir vigorously, breaking up any lumps in the rice, and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. If the rice is sticking, add a little broth or water, cover, and cook over low heat for about 5 minutes, adding more broth if necessary. Taste, and add salt to your liking. Spoon the rice onto a warm plate, and sprinkle a little fresh coriander (more commonly known here as cilantro) on top, if available, and if you like it.

　　The Pleasures of Cooking for One by Judith Jones. Copyright © 2009 by Judith Jones. Published by Knopf. All Rights Reserved.Judith Jones is senior editor and vice president at Alfred A. Knopf. She is the author of The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food and the coauthor with Evan Jones (her late husband) of three books: The Book of Bread; Knead It, Punch It, Bake It!; and The Book of New New England Cookery. She also collaborated with Angus Cameron on The L. L. Bean Game and Fish Cookbook, and has contributed to Vogue, Saveur, and Gourmet magazines. In 2006, she was awarded the James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. She lives in New York City and Vermont.