Fragrant Chickpea Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked basmati rice (or long grain or wild rice)
• 1 1/2 cups water (Note 2)
• 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tins (21 oz / 600g) chickpeas , drained, but still wet
• 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp garam masala (Note 1 for substitutions)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup parsley leaves
• 1/4 cup coriander / cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup sultanas or currents
• Black pepper
• 1/2 cup fried shallots , store bought (Note 3)