🌎 The World Cookbook

2 cups (390 grams/ 14 ounces) basmati rice (See note about soaking rice)
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) butter
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, peeled and diced
2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced or grated
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garam masala
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne
1 -2 bay leaves, preferably Turkish Bay Leaves
1 - 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (to taste)
1/2 - 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)
3 1/2 cups (28 ounces) water, or chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups (16 ounces) frozen peas

Put the rice in a fine mesh colander/ strainer and rinse it in the sink under cold water for a minute or two, until the water running out of the bottom of the colander is mostly clear. This will remove any excess starch from the rice so the grains won't stick together while cooking. Leave in the sink to drain. Add butter, oil, and onion to a large, heavy bottom sauce pan and set it over medium heat. Cook the onion, stirring frequently, until it's soft and translucent, about 7 minutes. While the onion cooks, add garlic, ginger and all the spices except the bay leaves to a small bowl and stir to combine. Add to the pan with the softened onion and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes more. Add the bay leaves along with the water or broth. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Cover, turn the heat to low, and let simmer until the rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the frozen peas. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes to cook the peas. Remove the bay leaves and serve.

Note: Should you soak basmati rice before cooking it? Soaking basmati rice in cold water for 30 minutes will make the rice fluffier and better able to absorb sauces and gravy. But, it's not in any way essential to cooking delicious Indian Rice. If you want to, put the rice in a bowl and cover it in cold water. Let the rice soak for 30 minutes, then rinse and proceed with the recipe.