Creating savory onion rice is an easy and enjoyable process if you follow these steps:

1. Rinse Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water to remove excess starch, then drain well.
2. Sauté Onions: In a medium-sized pot, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until they are soft and caramelized, about 10 minutes.
3. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
4. Combine Ingredients: Add the rinsed rice to the pot, stirring to coat each grain with the onion mixture. Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and thyme.
5. Pour in Liquid: Add water or vegetable broth and bay leaf. Stir well and bring to a boil.
6. Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
7. Fluff Rice: Remove the pot from heat, take out the bay leaf, and fluff the rice gently with a fork.
8. Garnish: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

This straightforward method will give you a delicious plate of savory onion rice that will impress anyone who tastes it.