Coconut Rice

 

 While wondering what to make for Lunch or Dinner it's one of the biggest tasks of the day. I decided to make coconut rice for Lunch, as I wanted to try it out. I have eaten the other variation of coconut rice where coconut milk is added. 

 

   This recipe is mostly made in south India and its one of the favourite dishes made during festivals of Pongal and Navaratri. It’s prepared as a savoury dish and it has nuts in it. It can also be made as a dessert by adding sugar to it. 

  

Coconut rice can also be served with gravy or veg or non veg stews. I had made Beef curry to pair with it.  It’s a healthy and flavourful rice made with fresh grated coconut. Desiccated coconut does not taste very well as much as the fresh coconut. It’s always better to use fresh grated coconut for this recipe. 

My kids enjoyed eating this rice as it gave an entirely different taste. It’s also easy recipe to make as it doesn’t take much time. 

   You will need

• 2 cups cooked rice 
• 2 tbsp ghee
• ½ tsp urad dal
• ½ tsp chana dal
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 2 dry red chilies 
• 2 medium size green chilies slit
• 1 large onion 
• Sprig of curry leaves
• 1 cup grated coconut
• Salt to taste

1. Heat ghee in a pan add the mustard seeds and let it crackle. Add the curry leaves, chana dal and urad dal and sauté for a minute or two. 
2. Now add onions, red and green chillies. Saute till the aroma of the spices become strong and onions turn translucent.
3. Then add in the grated coconut and stir fry till the coconut turns golden colour. Do not burn the coconut by keeping it on flame for longer time or till dark brown. 
4. Lower the flame and add the cooked rice and give it a good mix. Add salt to taste. And it’s done.

You can add coriander leaves, cashews as I haven’t used in mine. And I served this rice with a spicy beef gravy.