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Coconut rice is a popular dish in many parts of the world, particularly in tropical places where coconuts are cultivated. Some coconut rice recipes are more savory than others, while other recipes are sweeter. Coconut flavors can be found in most tropical or Southeast Asian recipes and it’s uncommon to come across a Southeast Asian cuisine that doesn’t call for coconut or cream in some form.
You might have seen this at a restaurant or as a food blog reader. Interactions leave great impressions, so if you tasted this dish before and want to try making it, now’s your chance. There are plenty of recipes that call for coconut milk, but this easy coconut rice dish is the epitome of easy recipes. You can probably even make the best coconut rice on your first try.
This dish can be the ideal alternative for those occasions when ordinary or plain white rice is just not cutting it.
Making coconut rice is the same as cooking any other varieties of rice side dishes, such as Basmati, Jasmine, long grain rice, or short-grain rice. The addition of coconut milk and a sprinkle of sugar and salt is the only apparent change in this recipe.
For dessert recipes, more sugar is added and additional sweeteners like coconut extract are used. In savory recipes, this dish is mostly paired or used with curry and fried meat.
This easy coconut rice recipe is just cooked rice with coconut milk, if you’ve never eaten it before. This easy recipe elevates your staple food to new heights, leaving you with a fluffy and aromatic dish with a strong touch of coconut flavor.
It’s a delicious side dish you can pair with any Indian and Asian recipes, but it’s also delicious on its own! To make this recipe, simply follow either the stovetop or rice cooker method below.
Yield: 6 – 8 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Cooking this recipe on the stovetop might be difficult for some, but this approach is pretty straightforward. Here’s how to make fluffy and perfect rice you can call your own stovetop cuisine:
While you can prepare rice on the stovetop, a rice cooker or an instant pot makes cooking the perfect coconut rice a breeze!
If you’re craving your own twist or you simply want a taste of tropical cuisine, this delicious and easy coconut rice recipe is a perfect choice.
Not only is it great on its own, but it’s also great as a side dish to more savory recipes or even sweet recipes. If you’re a big fan of creamy recipes, you might not even stop eating them!
For other rice recipes, you can check out our blog.
In this recipe, using full-fat coconut milk is recommended for intense coconut flavor. While mild coconut milk can be used, the ultimate result tastes more or less like plain rice due to the watering down of the milk. If you’re planning on using the dish for other savory or sweet recipes, you’re free to experiment.
Definitely. Coconut milk makes grains stickier and adds a tasty coconut flavor to any recipe, so it’s an ideal substitute. However, you’ll still need to dilute the coconut milk with some water so it doesn’t get too oily and leave scum at the sides of the pot. For 1 cup coconut milk, 1 1/2 cups water should be used. Use coconut water for a more intense coconut flavor.
The recipe is as adaptable as it is straightforward. A wide range of meals, from curried chicken to stir-fried veggies, go nicely with the side. Recipes you can pair with this dish include:
Chicken adds a mellow flavor to the fluffy rice, allowing you to experiment with a range of spices. There are plenty of chicken recipes you can pair with this dish, but for a casual dinner, you can boil chicken breasts in yellow curry sauce and serve it over the dish.
Pork has a somewhat sweet flavor that pairs well with the mellow coconut flavor of this easy coconut rice dish. Recipes that call for shredded pork or pork chops are ideal.
The beef gives coconut rice a strong flavor, elevating the dish from mild to extra flavorful. The majority of beef recipes you can pair with this dish are curries, but you can also pair it with stir-fried beef recipes.
The mild taste of coconut rice allows even the delicate flavor of fish to show through. Lemon-poached seafood recipes are the go-to if you’re looking for a light-flavored meal, but smoked fish recipes and spicy seafood recipes are also ideal.
Vegetables are just as delicious as meat with coconut rice. Vegetable curry recipes are great for a strong-flavored meal. If you want something light, opt for stir-fried vegetable recipes or salad recipes.
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