In mortar put:-
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 heaped teaspoon black pepper seeds
Seeds from 8 whole white cardamoms (discard the husks)
1 level teaspoon dried tarragon
1 level teaspoon dry cumin seeds
1 level teaspoon dry fennel seeds
1 crumbled bay leaf
1 dry small chili (optional)
Mix first 4 together in a dish.
Then grind together all the ingredients in the mortar with a pestle.
Mix everything together well and store in screw top jar.
Add 1 level tablespoon to each cup of rice before cooking.
These quantities are pretty much perfect for me but you may want to change some
of them according to taste.
I always cook my rice in the microwave - 1 cup of rice to 3 cups of water plus 1
tablespoon of spice mixture. Microwave in a deep microwavable dish with a lid at 750 for 6 minutes
then microwave at 350 for 20 minutes. Allow to stand with the lid on to absorb all the water.
I usually cook it in the morning and let it stand during the day. Then just before we eat I loosen
it up with a fork and microwave at 750 for 3 minutes. Voila.