Soak your rice in cold water for 30 minutes
After 30 minutes, rinse out the starches in the rice until the water runs clear
Dice your onions and chop the shallots into thin long strips
In a mortar and pestle, pound together the cilantro and garlic into a paste
In a pot heat your oil
Add in the onions and cook them until they are translucent
Add in all your spices
Add in the cilantro + garlic mix
Add in your rice and lightly toast it. Make sure you do not burn the rice or the spices
Add in the water
Once it gets to a boil, reduce the heat down to the lowest setting and cover the pot with a tight lid. Do not uncover the pot for at least 20-25 minutes.
Once the rice is fully cooked, lightly fluff it with a fork
Add in your raisins and gently incorporate them into the rice. The heat of the rice will soften them
Add in the food coloring and gently mix it in