Cookwith - A Trip Down Memory Lane: Family-Style Japanese-Mediterranean Fusion Rice Bake

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups short-grain rice
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small Japanese eggplant, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp white miso paste
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for topping)
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp black sesame seeds
• Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)