Not So Plain Rice


This is the basic rice-on-the-stove recipe. Add the optional ingredients and it becomes not-so-plain. Serves 3.

1 cup basmati rice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups water
2 cloves (optional)
2 pods cardamom (optional)
1 bayleaf (optional)
1 medium onion, sliced (optional)

Wash the rice in several changes of water and leave to soak in water for 30 minutes to an hour. Drain the rice well. On a medium stove setting, heat the oil in a heavy pan or pot. Add the cloves, broken cardamom pods, and bay leaf and fry for a minute. Add the sliced onions and fry until the onions start to turn translucent. (4-5 minutes). Add the rice and stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Try to coat as much of the rice in the oil as possible. Add the water and salt and cover. Lower heat to low and cook for 25-30 minutes.