Easy Coconut rice recipe

The coconut rice recipe is a popular and quick Asian rice dish full of flavor and richness. It includes grated coconut, infused spices, and some common lentils to enhance the taste. The ideal mix of these components creates a distinct, delicious, and colorful rice dish. Adding curry leaves and ginger provides a wonderful aroma to the coconut rice.

Typically, this coconut rice recipe is accompanied by mixed vegetables and curry. However, in my family, we enjoy the rice all alone without any additional sides. Since this recipe has such a unique flavor, I love savoring the wholesome taste in every bite!

When it comes to hectic weeknight meals, my recipe will undoubtedly be helpful. This recipe will quickly fill your dining table if you have already prepared the boiled rice. This dish goes well with any main course because of its satisfying flavor.

About the Coconut rice recipe

This recipe originated in Southeast Asian cuisine. Malaysians, Thais, and Indonesians enjoy this cuisine as a comfort dinner. This recipe features two traditional methods from the Indian Subcontinent. The first method involves tempering spices with common lentils and grated coconut. The second approach is simply cooking rice in rich coconut milk until it reaches a tender and creamy consistency that pleases the palate.

In this case, I will be preparing coconut rice using the first method. Coconut rice recipe is an excellent choice for children, especially when served with some fruits and boiled vegetables. However, if you’re making it for kids, feel free to omit some spices like green chilies and dried red chilies to keep it simple.

Jump to Recipe

What’s so special about this recipe?

Easy to make

This is only a 30-minute recipe to try. You do not need to follow up with a long, detailed method. Only a few ingredients are required to surprise your family with a new recipe.

Coconut as an Ingredient

Since this rice dish features coconut as its primary ingredient, it’s intriguing to think that something unique is about to take place, considering we typically use coconut only for decorative purposes. The combination of coconut and rice, both being white, along with a handful of other ingredients, elevates the flavor to a whole new level.

Busy weeknight meal

It is a great idea for busy weeknight meals when you are not in the mood to make a difficult recipe that is healthy enough. This recipe is not only ready to make but also super healthy.

Required Ingredients

Basmati rice

I used basmati rice for this amazing recipe as it gives more grain and elongated rice to cook. Jasmine rice is another great option to try.

Coconut oil

For tempering, also known as tadka, I utilized 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil to enhance the coconut flavor in the lentils, along with some grated ginger. It’s optional; you can also use regular cooking oil instead.

Coconut

I used coconut in grated form because in my opinion, grated coconut gives a softer texture with rice and also settles easily with rice as compared to chopped coconut.

Lenticils

In this recipe, we will be using two varieties of lentils: Mash ki daal (urad dal) and chana daal. If you prefer to omit one, feel free to substitute it with your preferred option.

Curry leaves and Green chilies

Curry leaves and 1 green chili will be added to add flavor to the lentils.

Almonds

I’m using silvered almonds instead of cashews since I don’t have any on hand.

Ginger

Ginger in the grated form will be used for sautéing lentils to bring aroma.

Cumin seeds

Cumin seeds are considered a core component in spice tempering. My family loves it, so I added a pinch of it.

How to cook coconut rice

Preparation

If you have precooked rice, then you can skip this step. Here I will show you how to make fully cooked but grainy rice to make perfect textured coconut rice. They will be grainy to touch and soft to eat. I’m using aged basmati rice.

Step 1

Take a deep bowl and add basmati rice, rinse in running tap water. I prefer to wash thrice and drain before soaking. Soak them for 15 minutes.

Step 2

Rice cooked in an Instant Pot

After soaking for 10-15 minutes, bring 2 cups (1 cup = 250 ml) of water to a boil in a pot. Drain the rice and add it to the boiling water, giving it a quick stir. Lower the heat and cook until the rice has a firm, grainy texture. Once the rice is cooked properly, fluff it up gently with a spatula so it does not break.

Step 3

Making coconut rice ( tempering spices)

Heat 2-3 tbsp of coconut oil in a pan. Add grated ginger, cumin seeds, and curry leaves. Saute them for 2 minutes, then add soaked chana, urad (maash ki daal), and sliced green chili.

Step 4

Fry at low heat until the curry leaves become more crunchy, then add 3-4 tbsp of water to soften the lentils. If lentils (chana daal and urad daal) are not softened, add more tablespoons of water as needed.

Step 5

When water evaporates and lentils are soft to the touch, then is time to transfer the cooled boiled rice

Step 6

Add 1 and 1/2 cups of grated coconut, boiled rice, and salt to the tempered spices. Put the lid on and set the flame to low. At this point, add silvered almonds.

Step 7

I am adding almonds here because I want a fresh almond taste without sauteing them with spices. You can add them while tempering spices, too.

Step 8

After two minutes of rice steaming, switch off the flame. Gently mix the rice and garnish with parsley leaves.

More rice recipes!

Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Chicken curry with Chinese-style rice

Storage of leftover rice

Cooked rice can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. When you’re ready to eat it, simply warm it up in a pan and savor it. However, if you store it for an extended time, the flavor will deteriorate. Therefore, it’s best to consume it within 1 or 2 days to fully appreciate its delightful taste.

What to eat with coconut rice

Coconut rice pairs wonderfully with stir-fried chicken, meat curries, and particularly beef in Pakistan. It is also enjoyed alongside fish curries. In India, it is commonly served with coconut and mango chutneys.

(9 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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