Onion Basmati Rice

How to make onion basmati rice, the best savoury side dish to Indian or Arabic dishes. A quick, easy way to add flavour to plain rice. Similar to what you get from Indian Restaurants or Takeaway.Fried onions with garlic, cinnamon, cumin and cardamom pods added for a gentle spice and taste. Cooked with long grain basmati rice to create what is aka as Pilau, Pilaf or Pulao rice. Perfect served with meat, poultry, fish, vegetables or curry and stew recipes. Vegetarian & Vegan friendly.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 large Onion (diced)
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tsp Garlic Puree (or 2 cloves garlic crushed)
• 1 Cinnamon stick (substitute with 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon)
• 1 tsp Ground cumin
• 3 Cardamon pods
• 280 g (1 1/4 cup) Basmati Rice (It is best to rinse rice before cooking to get rid of excess starch)
• 600 ml (2 1/2 cups) Cold Water
• Sprinkle of salt to taste

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Onion: Dice1 large Onion then saute in 1 tbsp Olive Oil at low heat until soft and golden coloured. This should take about 8 minutes.Be patient, don't turn the heat up you want them soft fried not crispy! Once softened, add 1 tsp Garlic Puree, 1 Cinnamon stick, 3 Cardamon pods and 1 tsp Ground cumin to the onions. Stir through.
2. 2Rice: Rinse 280 g (1 ¼ cup) Basmati RiceStir the rinsed rice in with the onion and spice.
3. 3Water: Add 600 ml (2 ½ cups) Cold Water and a Sprinkle of salt to tasteBring to a boil, once at a furious boil, place a lid on and reduce the heat to the lowest setting for 8 minutes. Do not lift the lid at any point!
4. 4Stand: After 8 mins, turn the heat off. But, still, keep the lid in place, let it stand for 5 more minutes. Fluff it up with a fork. Remove cardamom pods and cinnamon stick before serving.