Simple Brazilian white rice

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  
  1 cup white (long grain) rice (I use jasmine or Basmati if not in Brazil), washed
• 2 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• Pinch of salt
  
  
• 1. Put the water to boil in a tea kettle.
• 2. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium high heat.
• 3. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until translucent. (Be careful not to burn it!)
• Add the raw washed rice and cook, stirring occasionally so it doesn't burn, until it starts forming clumps.
• 4. Add the boiling water, bay leaf and the salt, cover and lower the heat to the lowest setting.
• 5. Cook for 20 minutes or until there's no more water in the bottom. (You will see some holes forming in the surface and you won't hear any more water!)
• 6. Turn the heat off and lift the cover slightly.
• Let the rice sit untouched for 5 more minutes.
• 7. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.