Oven-Baked Basmati Pilaf – Perfect Side for Fried Duck Stir-Fry

• basmati rice↗500 г g
• unsalted butter↗100 г g
• onion↗1 велика

  finely chopped

• fresh thyme↗1 велика гілочка
• bay leaf↗2
• cinnamon sticks↗2
• cardamom pods8

  split

• cloves↗3
• lemon zest↗4‑6 тонких смужок
• boiling chicken broth1 л l

  or water

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 160 °C with convection (or 180 °C on a conventional setting, gas – 4). Prepare a medium saucepan with a lid.

2. 2

   Rinse the rice in a large bowl under running water until the water runs clear, then drain.

3. 3

   Melt two thirds of the butter in the saucepan and sauté the onion for about 5 minutes until translucent.

4. 4

   Add the rice, stir, then add the fresh thyme, bay leaf, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, and lemon zest. Cook for another minute to release the spices' aroma.

5. 5

   Pour in the boiling chicken broth or water, stir, add 1½ tsp sea salt and ground black pepper to taste.

6. 6

   Cover the saucepan with the lid and bake for 25 minutes.

7. 7

   Let the pilaf rest for 5 minutes, then remove the lid and fluff the remaining butter with a fork so the rice becomes fluffy and separate.