Indian Pilau (Rice)

I have finally found a rice recipe that I just love.  It has a little spice but not enough to overpower the curry that you will eat with it.  It reminds me of the rice that my friend Sabrina makes all of the time.  It has saffron and cardamom.

2 cups of basmati rice
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tbs butter
4 cardamom pods or 1 tsp cardamom powder
8 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
pinch of saffron treads
2 bay leaves
3 cups of chicken stock or vegetable stock or water with salt

Cook the onion in the butter for about 5 minutes until softened.  Add the spices, saffron and bay leaves and saute for a couple of minutes. Next, add the rice and stir until the grains are coated in the butter, then add the chicken stock.  Bring to a boil and then cover with a tight fitting lid.  Turn the heat down to simmer/low and cook for about 10-20 minutes.  Once the water has been aborbed turn off the heat. Add additional butter and fluff.  Enjoy!