Basmati Pilaf

🥘 Ingredients

• unsalted butter 100 g
• onion 1 large
• basmati rice 500 g
• thyme 1 sprig
• bay leaves 2
• cinnamon sticks 2
• cardamom pods 8
• cloves 3
• lemon zest 6 strips
• vegetable stock or water 1 qt
• sea salt 1 ½ tsp
• ground black pepper

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to fan 160°C / conventional 180°C (350°F) / gas 4. You will need a medium casserole with a lid. Rinse the rice well in a large bowl of water, then drain.
2. 2

   Melt two-thirds of the unsalted butter in the casserole and sauté the onion for about 5 minutes . Add the basmati rice , stir well, then add the thyme , bay leaves , cinnamon sticks , cardamom pods , cloves , and lemon zest and cook for 1 minute . Now pour in the boiling vegetable stock or water and mix into the rice, along with sea salt and ground black pepper to taste.
3. 3

   Cover and bake for 25 minutes . Leave to stand for 5 minutes , then remove the lid and fork through the remaining butter until the rice is fluffy and separated.