Riz à la Bayonnaise

Heat the butter in a sauté pan, add the onion and cook over a low fire until soft but not brown. Stir in the ham and the rice and sauté over a low fire, stirring constantly, until the rice is transparent but not brown. Stir in the broth, salt and pepper, and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, cover tightly and cook over a low fire for 20 minutes or until the rice is just tender and the liquid h