1. Get the things you need.
Wash the rice with cold water until the water is clear. This process removes extra starch and stops the rice from getting too sticky.
Cut the onion into very small pieces if you are using it.
Cook the spices and onion in a pan with some oil.
Heat up a medium-sized saucepan on medium heat and put in the butter or oil.
Cook the chopped onion in a pan until it turns see-through and slightly brown.
Put the cloves in the pan and cook for one more minute. This process helps to let out the smell of the cloves.
Make the rice.
Put the washed rice into the pot and mix it with the butter/oil and onions.
Add water: Pour the water and add salt as desired. If you want, you can also include a bay leaf, a cinnamon stick, or cardamom pods now to enhance the taste.
Heat the mixture on high until it starts boiling.
Simmer: When it starts boiling, lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer. Cook the rice until it is soft and has absorbed all the water. This typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the kind of rice.
4. Let the rice sit.
Switch off the stove: Turn off the stove and leave the rice to sit with the lid on for an additional 5 minutes. This helps the steam complete the cooking of the rice and makes it fluffier.
Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains after removing the lid.
