Pohp Batalu Jo Pulao (Spiced Rice with Dates & Fried Potatoes)

Ingredients

• 6 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 serrano chile, stemmed
• 1 (2") piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 1⁄4 cups canola oil
• 2 large white onions (1 minced, 1 thinly sliced)
• 4 black peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cloves
• 1 whole black cardamom pod
• 1 stick cinnamon
• Kosher salt, to taste
• 4 plum tomatoes, minced
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1⁄4 tsp. ground turmeric
• 3⁄4 cup basmati rice, rinsed
• 1⁄2 cup frozen green peas
• 1 medium russet potato, cut into ½" matchsticks
• 10 seedless dates, thinly sliced
• 1⁄4 cup finely chopped cilantro