Nutty Basmati Pilaf - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups basmati rice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon cumin seed
2 teaspoons coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1 bay leaf
2 cups chicken broth or 2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup nuts (pistachios, cashews, slivered almonds)
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (to garnish)

Preparation

Wash rice in a sieve under cold running water until water runs mostly clear.
Place rice in a bowl with fresh cold water, and let sit 30 minutes.
Drain well.
Heat oil in a larger saute pan, and lightly saute the onion and garlic until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the rice, cumin seeds, coriander, cardamom and bay leaf.
Toss rice to coat well with the seasonings, and lightly saute 2 minutes.
Add broth, and season with salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low, and cook 10 minutes.
(Do not lift lid.) Remove from heat and allow to sit 5 minutes before lifting lid.
Add nuts and toss to combine.
Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.
For Vegetarians use the vegetable broth.