Indian Spiced Basmati Pilaf

https://www.seriouseats.com/beyond-curry-easy-brown-pilaf-indian-recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable or canola oil
• 1 cup (170g) sliced red onion (about 1 medium)
• 1 teaspoon (4g) sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 cardamom pods
• 2-inch cinnamon stick, broken roughly in half
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 star anise pod
• 2 teaspoons (3g) fennel seeds
• 1 ½ cups (300g) basmati rice
• Kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and golden brown, about 8 minutes. Stir in sugar. Reduce heat to medium-low and add bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until spices are fragrant, about 5 minutes.

2. Add fennel seeds and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in rice and season with salt. Cover rice with 1-inch cold water (about 3 cups; 710ml). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to lowest setting, cover, and cook until water is absorbed and rice is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Serve warm.