Rice Pilaf (African) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
1 3/4 cups basmati rice
1/2 cup raisins
1 fresh chili pepper, chopped (to taste)
4 teaspoons lime zest
1 -2 cinnamon stick
2 cardamom pods, seeds of
2 teaspoons salt
4 cups water
1/2 cup slivered almonds
4 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped
fresh ground pepper, to taste

Preparation

In a large saucepan, heat the oil and saute the onions until soft.
Stir in the rice and cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes.
Add the raisins, chili, lime zest, cinnamon sticks, cardamon, salt and 4 cups of water and stir well.
Cover the pan and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until the rice has absorbed all the liquid.
Meanwhile, lightly toast the slivered almonds in a dry frying pan.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and fluff up the rice with a fork.
Stir in the almonds, parsley and season to taste before serving.