Name: Basmati Rice, Pilaf-Style
Total time: 50 min
Yield: Serves 4 as a side dish
Cuisine: Indian, Asia
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon canola oil, vegetable oil, or corn oil; 3 inch piece cinnamon stick, halved; 2 green cardamom pods; 1/4 cup thinly sliced onion; 2 whole cloves; 1 cup basmati rice; 1 teaspoon table salt; 1 1/2 cups water

Why This Recipe Works

For a basmati rice pilaf recipe that produced light, fluffy, aromatic rice, we first rinsed the rice to remove excess starch. Then we toasted whole spices in some oil before toasting the rice itself. Adding water and then cooking the rice over low heat before removing it from the heat and allowing it to steam gave our basmati rice the fluffy texture we were looking for in our basmati rice recipe.

Instructions

Heat oil in medium saucepan over high heat until almost smoking. Add whole spices and cook, stirring until they pop. Add onions and cook, stirring until translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in rice and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add 1 1/2 cups water and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover tightly, and simmer until all water has been absorbed, about 17 minutes. Let stand, covered, at least 10 minutes, fluff with fork, and serve.