Coconut Rice

Ingredients

• 1 cup (200g) basmati rice 1 cup (200g) basmati rice
• 1 cup (240ml) water 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1 cup (80g) freshly grated coconut 1 cup (80g) freshly grated coconut
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon urad dal (split black gram) 1 teaspoon urad dal (split black gram)
• 1 teaspoon chana dal (split Bengal gram) 1 teaspoon chana dal (split Bengal gram)
• 10-12 curry leaves 10-12 curry leaves
• 2 dried red chilies 2 dried red chilies
• 1/4 cup (30g) roasted peanuts 1/4 cup (30g) roasted peanuts
• Salt to taste Salt to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 2g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes, then drain.
2. 2.
   In a large pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.
3. 3.
   Add the urad dal, chana dal, curry leaves, and dried red chilies to the pan. Sauté until the dals turn golden brown.
4. 4.
   Add the grated coconut to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes until it turns slightly golden.
5. 5.
   Add the soaked and drained rice to the pan and mix well with the coconut mixture.
6. 6.
   Pour in the water and season with salt. Stir gently to combine.
7. 7.
   Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and fluffy.
8. 8.
   Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
9. 9.
   Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with roasted peanuts.
10. 10.
    Serve hot and enjoy the aromatic Coconut Rice!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Basmati rice — Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch and soak it before cooking to achieve fluffy and separate grains.
• Curry leaves — These aromatic leaves add a distinct flavor to the dish. If fresh curry leaves are not available, you can use dried curry leaves as a substitute, but reduce the quantity by half.
• Mustard seeds — To enhance their flavor, you can lightly roast the mustard seeds before adding them to the dish.
• Freshly grated coconut — Use freshly grated coconut for the best taste and texture. If you can't find fresh coconut, you can use frozen grated coconut as a substitute.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, you can roast the grated coconut before adding it to the dish.
• To make the dish more nutritious, you can add vegetables like carrots, peas, or bell peppers while cooking the rice.
• Adjust the spiciness by adding or reducing the number of dried red chilies.
• Serve Coconut Rice with a side of raita (yogurt sauce) or pickle for a complete meal.
• Leftover Coconut Rice can be used to make delicious rice balls or fried rice.

Serving advice

Coconut Rice can be enjoyed as a standalone dish or paired with a variety of side dishes. It is traditionally served with a side of papadums (crispy lentil wafers) and a cooling cucumber raita (yogurt sauce). You can also serve it with a side of tangy mango pickle or a simple vegetable curry for a wholesome meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of Coconut Rice, you can garnish it with a sprinkle of fresh coriander leaves and a few roasted peanuts on top. Serve it in a colorful bowl or on a banana leaf for an authentic touch. The vibrant colors and aromatic flavors will make this dish visually appealing and irresistible.