Coconut Rice
Photography by Aaron McLean.
This chilli coconut rice is the perfect addition to any fish or curry meal.
INGREDIENTS
1½ cups basmati rice
3 cups cold water or chicken stock
Coconut topping
½ cup long thread coconut
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 red onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
¼-½ teaspoon chilli flakes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander
sea salt
METHOD
Place the rice in a deep bowl and rinse in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well and place in a medium saucepan with a pinch of salt and the water or stock. Bring to the boil, give a good stir then cover tightly and cook over a low heat for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave for 5 minutes then fluff up the rice with a fork.
Topping: Toast the coconut in a dry sauté pan until golden, stirring constantly. Tip onto a plate and cool.
Heat the oil in a small sauté pan and cook the onion, garlic, mustard seeds and chilli flakes with a good pinch of salt until the onion is soft. Combine with the coconut and coriander.
To serve: If you want to serve the rice mounded, lightly grease a small round bowl and pack with rice, smoothing the top. Invert onto the plate and top with a spoonful of the topping. Repeat to make 3 more.

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