Yellow Basmati Rice with Sesame Seeds

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
• 1 dried hot red chili
• 1 teaspoon urad dal or yellow split peas
• 1 teaspoon whole brown or yellow mustard seeds
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt, if desired

1. Put the rice in a bowl.
2. Wash in several changes of water.
3. Drain.
4. Let the rice soak in water that covers it generously for 30 minutes.
5. Drain through a sieve and leave in the sieve suspended over a bowl to drip.
6. Pour the oil into a heavy, medium pan (that has a tight-fitting lid) and set over medium-high heat.
7. When hot, put in the red chili, urad dal, mustard seeds, and sesame seeds.
8. As soon as the dal turns reddish and the mustard seeds begin to pop, add the drained rice, turmeric, and salt.
9. Turn the heat down to medium.
10. Stir very gently and saute for a minute.
11. Add 2 2/3 cups water and bring to a boil.
12. Cover tightly, turn heat to very, very low, and simmer gently for 25 minutes.

basmati rice, olive, red chili, urad dal, brown, sesame seeds, ground turmeric, salt

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/yellow-basmati-rice-with-sesame-seeds-373857 (may not work)