Zanzibar Pilau

  This simple and delicious recipe is also from the book "In Bibi's Kitchen".

Ingredients

• 1 cup  basmati rice, rinsed 3 times and preferably soaked for at least 30  mins
• 1/2 tbsp ghee + 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 5 green cardamom pods
• 1 2" piece cinnamon stick
• 1/2 tsp ground cloved
• 1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk (you can increase this quantity and reduce the amount of water accordingly but I personally find the cooked rice too rich that way).
• 1 1/4 cup boiling water
• 1 tsp kosher salt

Method

1. Place ghee and evoo in a pan on medium-high heat till hot.
2. Add the onion and stir till it begins to soften (5 mins)
3. Add all the spices and stir for a minute.
4. Add coconut milk, boiling water and salt.
5. Add the drained rice.
6. Check for salt. It should taste slightly salty for perfectly salted end product.
7. Bring the rice to a boil, cover with a lid, lower heat to low and cook for 18 minutes
8. Turn off heat and let it sit, covered, for at least 10 minutes before serving. Fluff the rice prior to serving.