South Indian Coconut Rice

South Indian coconut rice is a mildly spiced rice made with fresh coconut. It is also known as Thengai Sadam in the South Indian regional language. Coconut rice is a savory, nutty, and flavorful rice. It makes a perfect lunch box recipe in no time! 

Coconut rice is a gluten free and plant based simple recipe. It can be easily made as a vegan recipe when you add coconut oil in the tempering instead of ghee. It is a very easy yet delicious and flavorful dish.

It requires minimum ingredients and is a perfect dish to use leftover rice into something tasty for your lunch. Tempering plays a very important role in making this rice taste  delicious. Coconut adds a beautiful texture and flavor to the dish.

Coconuts are rich in fiber, minerals, antioxidants, and contain good fat. Incorporate goodness of coconut in your everyday meals. It is very beneficial when used moderately.

I was introduced to this coconut rice by my friend when I was in my 2nd year of Masters. Once she got this aromatic rice in the lunch box, I tasted some, and instantly became a fan. She passed me this recipe and since then followed the same. It has become one of my family’s favorites as well. 

Do I Need Fresh Coconut In The Recipe? 

For authentic coconut rice, you will need to add freshly grated coconut in this recipe. Nothing can beat the fresh coconut flavor. 

If you don’t want to go through all the hassles of breaking and grating it, you can add grated frozen coconut in this recipe. You will need to thaw the frozen coconut and use it in this recipe. It will taste equally delicious. Frozen grated coconut is easily available in any local Indian store in the frozen section.

If both are not available, simply cook the rice in coconut milk and some plain water. 

For every 1 cup raw rice, add 3/4 cup coconut milk and 1 cup plain water. Once it cools down follow the rest recipe in the same manner.

Ingredients

• Rice
• Coconut
• Curry leaves
• Ginger
• Green chillies
• Dry red chillies
• Chana dal
• Urad dal
• Peanuts
• Cashew nuts
• Mustard seeds
• Cumin seeds
• Ghee
• Salt

South Indian Coconut Rice Step By Step Recipe

For Rice

Triple wash some rice and cook with 2 cups of water in a pressure cooker for 1 whistle. Once it cools down, fluff it with a fork and set aside. Spread some rice on a wide plate to make it cool down fast. You can use pre cooked or leftover rice as well.

For Tempering

In a pan, melt 1.5 tbsp of ghee and add chana dal. Roast it for 10 seconds and keep it aside in the same pan.

Add mustard seeds and let them crackle. Now add cumin seeds, urad dal, cashew nuts, peanuts, red chillies, green chillies, curry leaves, and ginger. Combine chana dal and mix well. 

Now add coconut and sauté for 1 minute. Combine cooked rice, salt, and mix everything well. Add ½ tbsp ghee, mix well, and serve the rice.

Variations

• Use any long grain or medium grain rice. I have used basmati rice but you can use sona masoori rice as well.
• You can skip adding chana dal or urad dal in the recipe.
• Soak the chana dal for 10 minutes if you don’t like its crunchiness.
• You can skip adding dry red chillies in the recipe. Adding dry red chillies and green chillies gives amazing taste to the dish. Each type of chillies have their own taste and that they bring out in the dish. Adjust the spice level as per your taste. 
• Skip adding cashew nuts or peanuts for a nut-free option.
• You can use raw peanuts as well. You will need to roast them for 10 seconds and set them aside in the same pan, just like the chana dal in this recipe.
• For a vegan diet, add coconut oil instead of ghee.
• If fresh or frozen grated coconuts are not available, you can cook the raw rice in coconut milk and plain water. Once it cools down, add it into the tempering and serve.

How To Store South Indian Coconut Rice?

Store the leftover coconut rice in an airtight container for not more than 2 days for the best taste. Reheat the rice in the microwave or on a stovetop.

Cook some rice the night before to make coconut rice in the morning for speedy cooking or use leftover rice in this recipe.

How To Serve South Indian Coconut Rice?

Serve the coconut rice on it’s own, along with papad, pickles, or tomato chutney.

You can serve coconut rice along with idli or uttapam and chutney for a wholesome meal.

Some simple potato fry curry goes very well with this rice.

DID YOU LIKE THIS RECIPE? 

If you’ve tried the South Indian Coconut Rice recipe then don’t forget to rate it. 

I will love to hear from you!

FOLLOW ME

Facebook|Instagram|Pinterest 

Did you try this recipe?

Follow @lifeisforfoodblog on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag it #lifeisforfoodblog

I love to know what you are making!