Combine all ingredients in a medium sauce pan with a tight fitting lid, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 50 minutes. Please don't lift the lid to give a peek or stir or the rice will not cook evenly.

Remove pan from the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 10 minutes?{once again, no peeking. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Cook's Note: Zip up this basic brown rice with one of these easy variations: Add a handful of raisin or apricots to the rice with the water. While rice is rests, mix a 10-ounce package of frozen vegetables with 2 tablespoons of water and a 2-inch strip of orange zest in a saucepan. Over medium-high heat, let the water steam the vegetables until warmed through, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir into hot rice just after fluffing it with a fork..

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