Coconut rice is a dish made by cooking white rice of choice (mostly Jasmine rice) in coconut milk.   This rice dish is so easy to make, but it delivers the most flavorful rice, with minimal ingredients.  The coconut base enriches this dish, giving you very flavorful and creamy rice.   You might be tempted to make it every day.

 

Ever since I started adding coconut milk in my plain rice, I have never looked back.  I always have tins of coconut milk at home mainly for this purpose.  By the way, when purchasing tinned coconut milk, make sure it has only two ingredients.  Namely, coconut and water.

 

coconut rice

 

Easy to follow coconut rice recipe

This dish is found in many cultures throughout the world from Asia, South America to Africa.  Plain coconut rice is one of the most straightforward rice recipes I can think of, and various curry dishes go with it.

 

Due to the very simple seasoning, the rice maintains a strong coconut flavor.  Accompany with Mung Beans Curry or any curry of your choice.

 

coconut rice

 

Coconut is healthy for you

I love incorporating coconut products in my day-to-day cooking.  It is due to the many health benefits.

The saturated fats in coconut not only increase the good cholesterol in our bodies but also help convert the bad cholesterol in good cholesterol.

It promotes heart health and lowers the risk of heart disease.  So don’t hesitate to add coconut products to your diet starting with this recipe.

 

 

What goes in Coconut Rice

  • Jasmin rice
  • coconut milk
  • salt
  • coconut oil
  • water

 

 

 

Making Coconut Rice

To make this rice, I wash my rice and drain it well.  I then heat cooking oil in a pot and add my drained rice.  I allow the rice to toast a bit before adding my coconut milk, salt, and water.

Once the liquid starts boiling, I seal my pot and let the rice steam for about 25 minutes on low heat.

After 25 minutes, I turn off the heat and allow the rice to rest for 10 to 15 minutes with the lid on.

 

 

coconut rice

 

Jasmin Rice vs. Basmati Rice

Jasmine rice is grown primarily in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and southern Vietnam. When cooked, jasmine rice is stickier than other long-grain rice like Basmati. It also has a distinct soft, moist texture and a slightly sweet flavour which makes it a perfect accompaniment for curries and stews.

Basmati is long-grain rice from India, considered to be one of the best-quality white rice. It has a distinctive aroma and, when cooked, each grain should remain separate, giving a light, fluffy result. This property makes it perfect used in one pot dishes like biriyani and pilaf dishes.

 

 

Storing Plain Thai Rice

This rice store very well in the fridge for about 4 days and freezes for about two to three months.  Store in a tight container.

To thaw, leave in the fridge overnight or on the countertop for a few hours till completely thawed.

To warm, sprinkle a tablespoon of water over the cold rice and warm in the microwave for three minutes.

 

 

Coconut Rice undercooked?

As much as this can happen, nobody wants to eat undercooked rice.  The good news is that, it is so easy to fix.  Add few teaspoon of hot boiling water over the rice, seal the pot again and allow to steam for another 10 minutes.

Never add cold water because that will only make matters worse.  Since we are steaming the rice on low heat, the cold water will take too much time to warm resulting in mushy rice.

 

 

 

Tips

Making this rice in a rice cooker will be the best alternative if you have one.  A rice cooker is made specifically for the purpose of perfectly steaming rice.  With the right ratio of liquid to rice, you will have the best coconut rice in no time.  And the best thing is that, the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.

Dont add too much liquid as you will end up with mushy rice.  Nobody wants that.

When purchasing tinned coconut milk, make sure it has only two ingredients.  Namely, coconut and water.

 

coconut rice
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5 from 1 vote

Coconut rice Recipe (Thai coconut rice)

Coconut rice is a dish made by cooking white rice of choice in coconut milk.   This dish is found in many cultures throughout the world from Asia, South America to Africa.  Plain coconut rice is one of the most straightforward rice recipes I can think of, and various curry dishes go with it. Due to the very simple seasoning, the rice maintains a strong coconut flavor.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Thai
Keyword coconut rice, thai rice
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Jayne Rain

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Jasmine Rice
  • 1 tsp Sea salt
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions

  • In a saucepan, lightly heat the oil on medium heat.  Add the rice and toast for a few minutes till lightly brown.  Keep a close eye at this point continually stirring to avoid burning the rice.
  • Add the water, coconut milk, and salt and stir well.
  • Cover the pot and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cook the rice for about 25 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat and allow the rice to rest for 5 minutes with a covered lid.
  • Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.

Notes

Skip toasting the rice at the beginning if you don't like that.  But I highly suggest trying it because this will give you the fluffiest plain coconut rice.

 

What do you think about this rice recipe?  Leave me a comment below with some STAR rating and share your thoughts.  I would love to hear from you.

 

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