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Coconut Rice

This Coconut Rice recipe combines the nutty richness of coconut with the delicate notes of jasmine rice, offering a soft, fluffy texture that melts in your mouth. It’s a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of proteins or can stand alone.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Side Dish
Cuisine: Caribbean, Southeast Asian
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice Choose a high-quality brand like Thai Hom Mali for authentic flavor.
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk Canned coconut milk provides the best creaminess; I love using Chaokoh.
  • 1.5 Tbsp sugar Feel free to experiment with coconut sugar for a deeper flavor.
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt To enhance the overall flavor.
  • 8 inches pandan leaf (optional) Adds fragrance, but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • toasted dried coconut (for garnish, optional) Adds texture and presentation.

Method
 

Preparation in Rice Cooker
  1. In the rice cooker pot, combine water, coconut milk, sugar, salt, and the optional pandan leaf. Give it a gentle stir.
  2. Rinse your jasmine rice several times, ensuring the water runs clear. This step helps to achieve a fluffy texture.
  3. Drain the rice well and add it to the rice cooker. Stir lightly to break up any lumps.
  4. Turn the rice cooker on and let it heat up. Once it clicks, allow the rice to rest for an additional 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Preparation on Stovetop
  1. In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine rinsed rice, water, coconut milk, sugar, salt, and optional pandan leaf. Stir well.
  2. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer until all the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
  3. After cooking, remove it from heat and let it rest for about 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork. If you like, garnish with toasted coconut for an extra crunch.

Notes

Always rinse rice before cooking to keep it fluffy. Allow the rice to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last up to 4 days. Adding herbs or spices can elevate the flavor of the rice.