Kerala small grain rice (washed and soaked for 1 hour and then drained) • hot water and little more if needed • pure ghee (must) • cumin seeds • each of bay leaf, star anise and a long piece of cinnamon, 1 black cardamom • cardamom pods broken, 4 cloves, 6 black pepper corns, • each of ginger paste, garlic paste and 1 chopped green chilli (optional) • medium onion chopped • salt or as per taste and a pinch of sugar • ghee to top • large onion sliced • halves of cashews •