Basmati Pilaf

🥘 Ingredients

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

🍳 Cookware

• medium casserole
• large bowl

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.

   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: 4 c, sea salt: 1/2 tbsp, ground black pepper
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.