Indian rice pilaf with raisins

Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups basmati rice or other long-grain rice
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 crushed cloves of garlic
• 1 teaspoon of crushed ginger root
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5 green cardamom pods
• 4.5 cups of water
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 - 1 cup light raisins (optional)

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until golden brown. Add the ginger root, cinnamon stick, and cardamom and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
   
   Add the rice and cook, stirring, until the rice is coated with oil. Pour in the water, season with salt, bring to a boil, and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Add the raisins and let simmer, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.