How to Cook Coconut Rice in Four Different Ways

December 19, 2023Chief EditorInfo Hub
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If you’ve been researching how to cook coconut rice, this blog post is the last article you need. After this read, you’d have mastered how to cook coconut rice like the pro that you are.

 

And trust me, your tastebuds and that of your loved ones will keep asking for this delicacy. The interesting part? You can cook and enjoy coconut rice in several ways.

 

Similar to the popular Nigerian jollof and fried rice, coconut rice is another award winning rice delicacy we have in Nigeria. It combines the creamy, nutty and slightly sweet flavor of coconut milk with rice and other ingredients to give a delicious dish.

 

Coconut rice can be enjoyed in different styles, with different animal proteins and accompaniment. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to cook coconut rice in four different ways.

 

Coconut Rice

 

Before you start eating, sorry, reading these coconut rice recipes, ponder on this question: what are the benefits of coconut? Have you tried to find out? Let’s dig deep.

Benefits of Coconut

If the thought of coconut rice is new to you, then you’ll be wondering why you should incorporate coconut to your diet.

 

Coconut has several health benefits. The oil, milk and water are all beneficial to the body. Here’s a list of some of its benefits:

1. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and healthy fats

Coconut is rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C. It contains minerals like manganese, copper, selenium, and potassium.

 

 

It also contains healthy saturated fats, mainly in the form of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which can be a rapid source of energy.

2. Coconut contains fibre

Fibre aids digestion, promotes regular bowel movement and contributes to a feeling of fullness. This supports weight management as it helps you eat less.

3. It contributes to hair and skin care

Coconut oil is used in skincare and hair care due to its moisturizing and nourishing properties

4. It improves immunity

Coconut contains lauric acid, which has some antimicrobial and antiviral properties, potentially supporting the immune system

5. It supports bone and teeth health

Coconut contains phosphorus and calcium which helps in maintaining strong bones and teeth

6. It is a lactose-free alternative to milk

Coconut milk is a suitable dairy-free alternative for those who have dairy allergies or are lactose intolerant

 

Note that the different coconut products, like coconut water, coconut milk, coconut oil, and coconut meat all have varying nutrient profiles

Four Methods of Cooking Coconut Rice

Having learned the nutritional value of coconut, let’s see how to enjoy this delicacy in different ways.

Coconut rice can be prepared in different styles. They include:

1. Plain coconut rice
2. Jollof coconut rice
3. Fried coconut rice
4. Coconut rice with coconut curry sauce

How to Cook Plain Coconut Rice

Plain coconut  rice is prepared from coconut milk and spices like pepper and thyme etc.

It appears cream in color, due to the absence of tomatoes and other ingredients that are colorful. Here’s how to cook plain coconut rice:

Ingredients For Cooking Plain Coconut Rice

● Rice
● Meat (chicken or turkey preferably)
● Coconut oil
● Coconut milk
● Onions
● Seasoning cubes
● Salt
● Water
● Spices (thyme, nutmeg powder, ginger, garlic, ground pepper)

 

Coconut rice

Procedure For Cooking Plain Coconut Rice

● Marinate the meat with salt, onions, seasoning cubes, and spices, and refrigerate for a while
● Par boil the rice and wash it properly
● Boil the marinated meat until tender
● Separate the meat from the stock
● Extract the coconut milk and set aside. To extract the milk from whole coconut fruits, break and blend the coconut with lots of water. Sieve it with a mesh and discard the chaff
● Fry or grill the cooked meat and set aside
● Heat the coconut oil, add chopped ginger, garlic, and onions, and saute for a while
● Add three parts coconut milk and one part meat stock to the sauteed spices and allow to boil
● Add ground pepper and the parboiled rice and cook till the liquid dries up and the rice is well cooked
● Serve with fried or grilled meat

How to Cook Jollof Coconut Rice

Jollof coconut  rice is prepared from coconut milk and blended tomato and pepper mix.

It takes on the color of the tomatoes like jollof rice, but has the flavor and taste of coconut milk. Here’s how to cook jollof coconut rice:

Ingredients For Cooking Jollof Coconut Rice

● Rice
● Meat (chicken or turkey preferably)
● Coconut oil
● Coconut milk
● Onions
● Seasoning cubes
● Salt
● Water
● Fresh tomatoes
● Fresh pepper
● Tomato paste (optional)
● Spices (thyme, curry, nutmeg powder, ginger, garlic, ground pepper)

 

Procedure For Cooking Jollof Coconut Rice

● Marinate the meat with salt, onions, seasoning cubes, and spices, and refrigerate for a while
● Par boil the rice and wash it properly
● Boil the marinated meat until tender
● Separate the meat from the stock
● Extract the coconut milk and set aside
● Blend the tomatoes with pepper and onions
● Fry or grill the cooked meat and set aside
● Heat the coconut oil, add chopped ginger, garlic, and onions, and saute for a while
● Add the blended tomato and pepper and fry until it is dry
● Add the tomato paste and fry for two more minutes
● Add three parts coconut milk and one part meat stock to the fried tomato mix and allow to boil
● Add the parboiled rice and cook till the liquid dries up and the rice is well cooked
● Serve with fried or grilled meat

How to Cook Coconut Fried Rice

Coconut fried rice is prepared from coconut milk and vegetables like carrots, green peas, green beans etc.

It combines the flavour and taste of coconut milk with the richness and beauty of fried rice. Here’s how to cook coconut fried rice:

Ingredients For Cooking Coconut Fried Rice

● Rice
● Meat (chicken or turkey preferably)
● Coconut oil
● Coconut milk
● Onions
● Seasoning cubes
● Salt
● Water
● Vegetables (carrot, green peas, green beans, green pepper)
● Spices (curry, thyme, nutmeg powder, ginger, garlic, ground pepper)

 

Coconut Rice

Procedure For Cooking Coconut Fried Rice

● Marinate the meat with salt, onions, seasoning cubes, and spices, and refrigerate for a while
● Par boil the rice and wash it properly
● Boil the marinated meat until tender
● Separate the meat from the stock
● Chop the vegetables and set aside
● Extract the coconut milk and set aside
● Fry or grill the cooked meat and set aside
● Cook the parboiled rice in one part stock and one part coconut milk
● Heat the coconut oil, add chopped ginger, garlic, and onions, and fry for a while
● Add the chopped vegetables, spices and fry well
● Add the cooked rice to the fried vegetables and stir-fry until it is evenly mixed
● Serve with fried or grilled meat

How to Cook Coconut Rice with Coconut Curry Sauce

Coconut rice with coconut curry sauce is prepared by cooking rice in coconut milk and preparing sauce with coconut milk and vegetables like carrots, green peas, green beans etc.

It is like the usual rice and stew but without tomatoes and pepper. Here’s how to cook coconut rice with coconut curry sauce:

Ingredients For Cooking Coconut Rice With Coconut Curry Sauce

● Rice
● Meat (chicken or turkey preferably)
● Coconut oil
● Coconut milk
● Vegetables (carrot, green peas, green beans, green pepper)
● Onions
● Seasoning cubes
● Salt
● Water
● Fresh pepper
● Corn flour
● Spices (curry, thyme, nutmeg powder, ginger, garlic, ground pepper)

 

Procedure For Cooking Coconut Rice With Coconut Curry Sauce

● Par boil the rice and wash it properly
● Marinate the meat with salt, onions, seasoning cubes, and spices, and refrigerate for a while
● Chop the vegetables and set aside
● Extract the coconut milk and set aside
● Blend the fresh pepper
● Cook the parboiled rice in half part coconut milk and set aside
● Heat the coconut oil and add the marinated meat. Fry until golden brown on both parts
● Add chopped ginger, garlic, and onions, and fry for a while
● Add the other part of the coconut milk. Allow to boil for a while so that the meat can be well cooked
● Add the corn flour and stir properly to prevent it from forming lumps. You can also mix it in a little water to form a paste before adding it
● Allow to boil until it starts to thicken
● Add the chopped vegetables, ginger and blended pepper, stir and allow to cook. You can add water if it’s too thick
● Turn off the heat and serve the coconut curry sauce with the cooked rice

 

These four recipes are a win for the taste buds anyday and anytime. We hope you try them and make them a regular in your diet.

Some Frequently Asked Questions About Coconut Rice Recipes

1. Can I use store bought coconut milk?

Yes, you can. There are several brands of coconut milk sold in stores. This saves you the time and stress of extracting the milk from the fruits.

However, note that some commercial coconut milk products may contain added sugars or thickeners. Ensure to read the labels before buying them.

2. Can I use goat meat or beef?

Goat meat or beef stock has a strong taste and flavor. It can overpower the mild taste and flavor of the coconut milk. Hence, chicken or turkey are the preferred proteins for these recipes.

3. What kind of rice should I use?

You can use basmati rice or any other type you have. Just ensure you wash off the starch well after parboiling it.

4. Can I use any other oil instead of coconut oil?

Certainly. Other oils like vegetable and olive oil can be used instead of coconut oil.

 

SEE ALSO:

Local and Foreign Rice Prices in Nigeria: Cost of a Bag of Rice

Top 11 Popular Food Choices in Nigeria: Most Consumed

10 Businesses You Can Start with Little or No Capital

Ten of the World’s Most Hazardous Foods

 

 

 


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Author
Chief Editor

Hello readers, you are welcome to your info connect. My name is Emmanuel, I am a graduate Mechanical Engineer, a blogger, and Digital Marketer. I share educational and career information and content to enable viewers who are aiming for success to attain it in their various fields. I hope you enjoy your tour here.

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