Indian Style Rice 1

Apparently I'm on an Indian food kick.  Nothing wrong with that.  It'll warm you up and get those taste buds singing.....what a beautiful song it is.
Anyhow, to keep it simple, this dish is an awesome side to anything Indian or simple grilled meat or fish dusted with curry powder.  It's lightly spiced, fragrant and has subtle flavours that mingle well, but don't overpower. 
Rinse your Basmati until the water runs clear.  It rinses off the excess starch that can sometimes cause the rice to get "gloppy".  Nobody likes "gloppy" rice.....

Indian Style Rice

Serves 4

1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 tsp salt
1 cardamom pod (optional)
half a cinnamon stick
1/8 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp cumin
pinch of chili flakes
1 1/2 cups water (or according to rice package directions)
1 cup Basmati rice, rinsed

Heat oil in a saucepan or deep skillet with lid over medium heat.  Add the onion and garlic and cook for about 4-5 minutes until onions start get a little colour.  Add the salt, cardamom, cinnamon stick, turmeric, cumin and chili flakes, stir to combine and bring the heat up to high.  Add the water.  When the water boils, add the rice, turn the heat down to low, put the lid on and cook for 15 minutes.  Fluff the rice and let it sit for 5 minutes with the lid on, off the heat before serving.