Comfort Fish and Chickpea Pilaf

Name: Comfort Fish and Chickpea Pilaf
Ingredients: 1/2 cup oil, divided; 1 large Russet potato, peeled and diced; 1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric, divided; sal, to taste; 2 red onions, thinly sliced; 1 teaspoon grated ginger; 1 1/2 cups basmati rice, washed and dried; 1 cup cooked or canned chickpeas; 1 medium eggplant, cut into small pieces; 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder; 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder; 3 bay leaves; 2 black cardamoms; 1 teaspoon cracked black peppercorns; 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 2 tablespoons butter; 2 sweet vidalia onions, sliced; 2 medium tomatoes, chopped; 2 cans oil-packed sardines (about 1 cup pieces); 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro