Coconut Rice – South Indian Coconut Rice

Coconut Rice is a simple and yummy lunch box rice variety. It can be made in just 15 to 20 mins. Not much cooking skills are needed to make this. In the sense, it is perfect for bachelors. Am not a big fan of variety rice, but once in a while I like to have it. Puliyodharai is an exception though! Coconut Rice and potato fry is an unbeatable combo! In fact I would say it is the default combo at home 🙂 Finally not to forget that this Coconut Rice tastes very flavourful when made with freshly grated coconut.

Now to the recipe..

[Preparation Time-10 mins : Cooking Time-15 mins]

Coconut Rice Ingredients:

• Cooked rice – 1 cup
• Grated coconut – 1/2 cup
• Salt – as needed
• Coconut Oil – 1 tbsp + 1 tsp
• Mustard – 1 tsp
• Urad dal – 1/2 tsp
• Chana dal – 1/2 tsp
• Dry red chillies – 2
• Cashews – few (optional)
• Curry leaves – a sprig

Method:

• Pressure cook rice so that it is not mushy, yet cooked softly. Take the rice in a wide bowl and add salt + oil. Let it cool down. Heat a pan with coconut oil and temper with mustard, urad dal, chana dal, cashews (if using) , dry red chilli and curry leaves. Transfer this to the cooked rice.

• In the same pan, add freshy grated coconut and roast it until slightly brown. U will get a nice roasted aroma.

• Transfer the roasted coconut to the rice and mix well so that the tempering and the coconut blend well. Check for salt.

Thats it!! Yummy and flavourful Coconut Rice is ready!

Serve hot with potato curry!

Tips:

1. Make sure u cook the rice as separate grains.
2. Using coconut oil to temper gives a nice unique flavour. U can use normal cooking oil too.
3. U can use green chillies instead of red chillies.
4. U can use peanuts instead of cashew.

– By Sundari Nathan