Recipe: Nutty Basmati Rice

This one is for you Suzie...

Nutty Basmati Rice
Serves 8

2 Tbsps Vegetable Oil
1 Tbsp Butter
1 Lg Stick Cinnamon
2 Whole Cloves
3/4 C Onion, minced
1/2 Tsp Ground Cardamom
2 C Basmati Rice, uncooked
1 C Water
2 C Chicken Broth
1/4 C Dates, chopped
1/2 Tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Orange Zest
1/4 C Pistachio Nuts, unsalted, toasted

1. Heat oil and butter in 3 qt. Dutch oven over high heat.
2. Add cinnamon and cloves and cook, stirring, until the cinnamon stick puffs up, 1-2 min.
3. Reduce heat and add onion and cardamon and saute until the onion is clear, about 3 min.
4. Stir in the rice and mix to coat all the grains.
5. Cook until it begins to be aromatic, 1-2 min.
6. Add water, chicken broth, dates, salt, and orange zest and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat to low and cover tightly.
8. Simmer until all of the liquid has been absorbed, 13-15 min.
9. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 min to allow the rice to stabilize.
10. Uncover and remove cinnamon stick and cloves. Cloves will rise to the top during cooking.
11. Fluff with fork and garnish with pistachios before serving.