Aromatic Basmati Rice

In Hindi, basmati means "queen of fragrance," and the nutty, sweet smell of basmati rice is unmistakable. Basmati is a necessary element in biryani dishes and is the preferred type of rice served with north Indian meals. This rice should be served fluffy, not sticky. The milling process creates residue starches, that makes rinsing the rice extremely important to prevent stickiness.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups basmati rice
2" piece of cinnamon
2 whole cloves
2 green cardamom pods, slightly crushed

Preparation:

In a bowl or shallow dish, wash the rice with cold water until it runs clear. Cover with water and soak for 30 minutes.

Using a sieve, drain the rice thoroughly, and put into a thick-sided pot with 2 cups cold water. Add the spices, stir the rice mixture and bring to a boil over high heat. Immediately reduce heat to very low, cover and simmer for 25 minutes.

Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Gently fluff with a fork, removing the whole spices, and serve. Serves 4 to 6.