Coconut Rice

Coconut Rice is prepared in various cuisines and countries. One of my friends who is Puerto Rico mentioned to me that they make rice with coconut milk as the base.It was always my impression that Coconut Rice is an Indian dish primarily hailing from Kerala. It is quite a pleasant surprise that Coconut Rice either in the form of pudding or simply rice is served across the world.

1 cup Rice ; I used Tilda Basmati
1/2 - 3/4 cup fresh grated Coconut
3 Green Chillies, slit vertically
6 Curry Leaves
1 tbsp of Oil
1/2 tsp of Turmeric
1 tsp Chana Dal
1 tsp Urad Dal
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
Pinch of Hing
Lemon juice Optional

• Cook Rice using 1:2 rice to water till soft but the grains should be separate
• Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan
• Add Chana Dal, Urad Dal, Cumin Seeds and Mustard seeds.
• Fry till golden brown
• Add Curry Leaves and Hing
• Add Green Chillies and turmeric
• Add the coconut and fry till the coconut turns golden brown
• Add the cooked rice and mix well until all the tempering has coated the rice
• Squeeze lime juice and serve