Cardamom-Coconut Rice

By MARTHA STEWART LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1994.Mild and creamy coconut milk mellows this spice-infused side dish.
INGREDIENTS
6 cardamom pods, or 1/4 teaspoon ground
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 large yellow onion, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups Basmati, or Jasmine rice
1 cinnamon stick

3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
Fresh coconut, shelled but unpeeled, shaved, for garnish
DIRECTIONS

Remove seeds from cardamom pods, if using, and discard pods. Grind seeds to a powder in a spice grinder or mortar.
In a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onion and cardamom, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add rice, and stir until grains are well coated with butter, about 1 minute. Add cinnamon stick, coconut milk, 1 3/4 cups water, salt, and sugar. Stir well to combine. Bring to a boil, and immediately reduce heat to lowest setting. Cook, covered, for 25 minutes. Remove from heat, and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Serve hot, garnished with shaved coconut.