Fragrant Indian Pilaf

Along the Silk Road, every country has its own version of pilaf. Almost all pilafs feature a medley of vegetables made with basmati rice and seasoned with fragrant spices. The cardamom pods are used to impart their flavor, and never eaten whole, but can be used to ornament the dish. When my parents lived in india in the early part of their lives, they enjoyed this indian variation of pilaf made with cloves, ginger, and saffron, and garnished with cashews and raisins. In my version, I have a