Ingredients

6 cardamom pods, or 1/4 teaspoon ground

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 large yellow onion, finely chopped

1 1/4 cups Basmati, or Jasmine rice

1 cinnamon stick

3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

Fresh coconut, shelled but unpeeled, shaved, for garnish

Preparation

Remove seeds from cardamom pods, if using, and discard pods. Grind seeds to a powder in a spice grinder or mortar.

In a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onion and cardamom, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add rice, and stir until grains are well coated with butter, about 1 minute. Add cinnamon stick, coconut milk, 1 3/4 cups water, salt, and sugar. Stir well to combine. Bring to a boil, and immediately reduce heat to lowest setting. Cook, covered, for 25 minutes. Remove from heat, and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Serve hot, garnished with shaved coconut.