Soak rice: Place the rice in a bowl and add water to it. Let it rest for 2 hours.
Cook vegetables: In a thick-bottom pot heat the oil over very low heat. Add garlic and onion and cook and stir for a minute.Add carrots, zucchini, beans, tomato, bell pepper, and cook and stir for a minute.
Season: Add 1 ½ teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of pepper.
Cook rice: Drain the water from the rice. Set the rice aside and add the water to the pot with the vegetables.When the pot breaks the boil, add the rice. Cook over medium heat for 7 minutes. Lower the heat to the lowest setting.
Simmer: If you want to add shrimp or chicken, do now.Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer until the rice has opened and it has your preferred consistency. Taste and add salt to taste if you find it necessary.
Serve: This dish goes great with a few slices of avocado.
Notes
This is a vegan dish, but you can add shrimp (raw, peeled), or chicken (supermarket rotisserie, boned, shredded) if you wish. The recipe will indicate when to add them.