Ghee Rice

A dish over which my brother and I would fight even to this day!!My mom would make this mostly on saturdays since we had a half day school and it was an off day for her.
This and raitha.. voila.. heaven in your mouth..

I have tweaked my moms recipe a bit.

Basmati Rice 2 cups
Water 3 cups
Onions 2 small cut into thin slices
Green Chillies 4 slit
Jeera 1 tsp
Ginger Garlic paste 2 tablespoon
Coriander leaves- small bunch with stems- the stems give a very good flavor. Chop them finely.
Ghee 3 tablespoon
Oil 1 tablespoon
Cloves 4
Cardamom 4
Cinnamom 2 1" sticks
Bay leaves small 4
Star Anise 1
salt to taste
Coconut 1/2 cup

Wash and soak basmati rice for 20 minutes.Heat a heavy bottom pan.Add ghee and oil.
Add cumin, whole spices and ginger garlic paste. Fry for a bit on medium flame till a nice aroma arises.Be careful not to brown the ginger garlic paste, it would give a bitter taste.
Now add green chillies, onion and coriander leaves.Add salt and cook till onions are slightly glazed.Add coconut.
Now drain water from the rice and add it to the pan.
Mix it well and fry for about 2 minutes. Now add 3 cups of water,mix well, turn the flame to complete low and cover the pan.
Rice will cook in about 30 minutes.
Fluff the rice with a fork once done.

Enjoy this with raitha or as it is.