Description
This Coconut Rice recipe offers a creamy, fragrant side dish made by cooking jasmine rice in coconut milk combined with water, salt, and sugar. It’s a simple, comforting dish perfect for pairing with a variety of main courses and can be garnished with fresh cilantro for an added burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Rice and Liquids
- 2 cups jasmine rice
- 1 (400 ml) can coconut milk
- 1 1/2 cups water (use 1 cup if cooking in rice cooker)
Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (or to taste)
Garnish (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Rinse the Rice: In a medium cooking pot or mixing bowl, rinse the jasmine rice thoroughly in several changes of cold water until the water runs clear. Drain the rice using a large fine-mesh sieve and return it to the cooking pot.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the coconut milk and water, then add salt and sugar. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Cook the Rice: Place the pot over high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the lid and cook uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to allow excess liquid to evaporate.
- Fluff and Serve: Remove the pot from heat, fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains, and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired. Serve warm.
- Rice Cooker Option: If using a rice cooker, reduce water to 1 cup. Rinse the rice as described earlier and add the rice, coconut milk, water, salt, and sugar into the rice cooker. Stir briefly to mix and set the cooker to the white rice setting.
- Steaming in Rice Cooker: When cooking is complete, keep the rice cooker closed and let the rice steam for an additional 5-10 minutes. Open the lid, fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with cilantro if you like, and serve.
Notes
- Adjust salt and sugar to taste depending on your preference for sweetness and saltiness.
- Using jasmine rice is recommended for its fragrance that complements the coconut flavor well.
- Fresh cilantro garnish is optional but adds a fresh, herbaceous note to the dish.
- Cooking times may vary slightly based on your stove or rice cooker model.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with spicy Thai or Caribbean dishes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai