Instructions: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, cloves, and ground cinnamon; cook until onion is translucent and mixture is fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Place rice in a sieve, and rinse under cold running water. Add rice to saucepan, and stir so grains are coated with butter mixture.

Add bay leaf, cinnamon stick, raisins, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir in 2 cups water. Raise heat, and bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until water has been absorbed and rice is cooked, 10 to 15 minutes.

Remove pan from heat, and let stand, covered, 5 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.

This recipe yields 4 servings.

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