Spiced-Yellow Rice

Very simple and very comforting. This yellow spiced rice adds just the right amount of sunshine to your plate.

P.S. - Ignore the serving suggestion if you're having this with the Sahs.

Ingredients :

Rice (any variety of polished rice will do) - the rule of thumb at my place is an open fistful per 2 people at the dining table and I will be feeding a crowd of 7
Water
Turmeric powder - 1 tspn.
Salt to taste
Cloves - 4
Pepper corns - 5
Cinnamon stick - half  - broken into 4 - 6 pieces
Bay leaf - 1 dry - optional
Star anise - 1 dry - optional

Method :

1. Wash and soak the rice in the vessel you're going to cook it in for about 5 minutes.
2. Drain out the water its been soaking in and add fresh water. Water level shout reach the second ridge of the ring finger while your middle finger touches the submerged rice. (see picture illustration below)
3. Place on medium heat and add the turmeric and whole spices. Partly cover the vessel with a lid until all the water is evaporated / absorbed.
4. Voila! Yellow- spiced rice / Khichri is ready.
   
   Serving suggestion : You can also add a blob of butter, which melts away as you add a freshly cut de-seeded green chilli, some lemon zest and a slight squish of lemon juice and have it warm!!
   
   Let your imagination run wild with this one and the possibilities are endless.... Meanwhile, I'm lusting over the possibilities of  a brunt garlic scented garnish going great with this, hmm.. what are the odds??