Wash and soak the rice for 20-30 minutes. Drain the water and keep aside.
Heat up oil in a pan. Add one tablespoon ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds and allow them to splutter.
Add bay leaf.
Now add whole black peppercorn and star anise.
Cook for a minute on slow heat.
Now add washed rice and stir it gently with a spatula.
At this stage allow the rice to stand for 1 minute to roast them lightly.
Add salt and water and bring the heat to high and allow the water to boil.
Now bring the heat to low and cover the pan with lid and cook for 6-7minutes.
Now check the rice for doneness. Rice should be 95% cooked now.
Fluff with a fork and cover again.
Allow them to stand for 5 minutes and prepare the tempering.
Heat one teaspoon of ghee and add ½ teaspoon jeera/cumin also add whole red chilli. Switch of the heat swirl the tempering and pour over hot rice.
Serve them steaming hot with chana masala or Butter paneer.