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The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving) | |
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330 | Calories |
25g | Fat |
25g | Carbs |
4g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 330 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 25g | 32% |
Saturated Fat 22g | 110% |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 284mg | 12% |
Total Carbohydrate 25g | 9% |
Dietary Fiber 0g | 1% |
Total Sugars 0g | |
Protein 4g | |
Vitamin C 1mg | 6% |
Calcium 32mg | 2% |
Iron 5mg | 26% |
Potassium 276mg | 6% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
Coconut rice is a staple in Thai cuisine. Aromatic and flavorful, with a subtly sweet coconut flavor, this rice makes a terrific accompaniment to many Thai and Indian dishes, but it's equally wonderful with nearly any Western-style entrée. Quick and easy to make, this recipe can be the base for many other dishes: think of curries, stews, and saucy vegan preparations that the rice will soak up, creating the perfect bite. In fact, as a vegan recipe, this rice can be a main dish for your vegan guests when served with a good spread of roasted vegetables or a sesame-ginger baked tofu dish.
For this recipe, use Thai jasmine-scented white rice. You can find it in most grocery stores in the rice aisle, online, or in Asian or international supermarkets. This type of rice is key, as the end result is fluffy restaurant-style coconut rice. Other rice can have too much starch and become gluey and too sticky, whereas Jasmine has the perfect grain and size to soak up the coconut flavor without becoming greasy or sticking together. For best results, get full-fat canned coconut milk, and not the carton of coconut milk used for coffee and other beverages.
This recipe uses the stovetop method for cooking rice, so be sure to have at hand a pot with a tight-fitting lid. Cooking the rice in a rice cooker will also deliver wonderful coconut rice.
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Ingredients
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1/2 teaspoon coconut oil (or vegetable oil)
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2 cups Thai jasmine white rice, rinsed well
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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2 cups canned coconut milk
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1 3/4 cups water
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
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Rub the oil over the bottom of a deep-sided pot.
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
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Place the rice in the pot along with the coconut milk, salt, and water. Set over medium-high to high heat and bring to a boil. Stir occasionally to keep rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
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Once the liquid has begun to gently bubble, stop stirring, and reduce the heat to low, achieving a constant simmer.
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
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Cover tightly with a lid and let simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed by the rice.
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
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Check doneness by pulling the rice aside with a fork. If there is still a good amount of liquid left, steam for a few minutes longer. If the liquid is gone, turn off the heat.
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
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With the heat off, leave the covered pot on the hot burner for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until you're ready to eat.
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
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When you're ready to serve, fluff the rice with a fork or chopsticks. Taste-test for salt, adding a little more if needed. Enjoy the rice with your favorite dishes!
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
Why Do I Need to Rinse the Rice?
You've seen that many rice recipes call for rice that's been thoroughly rinsed and drained. The reason is that much commercially available imported rice is coated with talc during processing (rice processed in the US no longer uses this material). This inert substance is used abroad to give the rice a whiter appearance, and although it won't hurt you if you ingest it, it's best to get rid of it if you can. Another reason for rinsing is that even if the rice is talc-free, you're removing some starch and impurities, allowing the grains to keep separate as they cook.
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