Coconut rice is a tasty, slightly spicy rice made from freshly grated coconut. It is a traditional South Indian recipe, but its preparation and consumption have reached as far as the Caribbean, becoming part of the culinary tradition of these regions.
In this post, we would like to provide you with some interesting data about this unique dish so that you are more familiar with it and feel encouraged to learn how to cook it at home.
We will also provide you with the nutritional contributions of this rice, as well as its benefits for your health.
The dish that delights everyone
The seasoning and texture of coconut rice make this dish an appetizing meal because it adapts impressively to the varieties of food with which it is usually served.
Shredded coconut is sautéed and used in this rice, so it will hold well into the evening, even when cooked early in the morning. In addition, the flavor is retained and becomes more delicious over time.
It is considered a typical dessert in some places, but in others, they qualify it as an excellent and complete side dish. You can serve it hot or cold, usually sprinkled with cinnamon, vanilla or lemon peel to flavor it.
What is the best accompaniment to coconut rice?
Coconut rice is a deliciously simple side dish that can be served with a wide diversity of main meals. In its original whereabouts is served with roasted vegetables, fish, and seafood. Hence, it is common in Thai and Indian dishes, such as curries.
It also goes well with fries, papad, the thin flatbread typical of the Indian subcontinent’s cuisine, curry, roast yam, and many others.
Moreover, any spicy fry would be an excellent accompaniment for coconut rice, like French potato fries, which form an ever-popular combo in some places.
The simple coconut rice recipe can be made on a rice stove. All you need is rice, coconut milk, salt, and desiccated coconut flakes, and in just 20 minutes, you will be serving delicious coconut rice.
Using coconut instead of regular oil provides a more flavorful and aromatic touch.
You can mix or add a little filtered water for fluffier rice with a milder coconut flavor. You can also replace the can of coconut milk with 3/4 cup of filtered water and three-fourths cup of homemade coconut milk.
Thus, this cooker- and eater-friendly coconut rice has become a regular menu item for the lunchbox at school and office and for long bus and train rides.
In some places, coconut rice is considered a typical gastronomic dessert. In others, they qualify it as an excellent and complete side dish.
You can serve it hot or cold, usually sprinkled with cinnamon, vanilla, or lemon peel to flavor it.
The three right ingredients
Good coconut rice requires quality ingredients to guarantee a truly succulent dish. The three most essential ingredients are:
- Coconut: Fresh shredded coconut is recommended for this recipe, although you can also use desiccated coconut when fresh coconut is unavailable.
- Rice: Both raw and boiled rice are great for making this recipe.
- Oil: Use coconut oil for better aroma and flavor. If you don’t have coconut oil, replace it with regular (refined/arachid) cooking oil used at home.
If you are interested in knowing some other details about coconut rice, click on the following link https://mahatmarice.com/recipes/easy-coconut-rice/ where you have other characteristics about it, how to cook it, different versions of this recipe in some countries, and much more.
Nutritional information
Among its composition, we find proteins, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates, making consuming this superfood an essential energy source. Because of its main ingredient, coconut, you can get a daily dose of the most essential nutrients.
Mainly it contains significant amounts of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and dietary fiber.
Benefits
This appetizing recipe provides some health benefits. For instance, it helps strengthen the immune system and bones. It can also relieve the symptoms of arthritis.
It has a positive effect on HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). Besides, coconut is a fruit rich in vitamins such as B and C. It can aid digestion and increase metabolism. This is one of the reasons why coconuts are said to be good for weight loss.
The coconut in this dish provides the body with copper, iron, manganese, and zinc and has strong antiviral properties.
However, although it has many beneficial properties, it should not be abused. It is a food high in saturated fats, and its frequent consumption can cause symptoms such as constipation.
