Nasi dalca

Ingredients

• 95 g (½ cup) yellow lentils
• ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
• 3 tablespoons ghee
• 1 onion, finely sliced
• 1 garlic clove, finely sliced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise
• 2 cardamom pods
• 2 cloves
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground fennel
• 600 g (3 cups) basmati rice, washed, soaked for 30 minutes, then drained
• 375 ml (1½ cups) milk
• 1 pandan leaf, knotted and torn
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste