Simple Cumin Basmati Rice - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups basmati rice, sorted and washed in 3 to 4 changes of water
2 3/4 cups water
1 tablespoon peanut oil (or melted ghee)
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper (or to taste)
3/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
finely chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

In a medium bowl, soak the rice in the water about 30 minutes.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over med-high heat; add in the cumin seeds and black pepper; they should sizzle upon contact with the hot oil.
Quickly add in the rice with the water it was soaking in; mix in the salt and bring to a boil over high heat.
Decrease heat to the lowest setting, cover the pan (partially at first, until the foam subsides, then snugly), and cook until the rice is done, 10-15 minutes.
Do not stir the rice while it cooks.
Remove from heat and let the rice rest undisturbed about 5 minutes.
Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with cilantro, and serve.