Coconut Rice

My children cheer when I announce we're having coconut rice for dinner.  It's no big thing, but it is delicious.  I simply replace about 1 1/2 cups of the cooking water with one can of coconut milk.

So, in my rice cooker, it goes like this.  Add the contents of one can of coconut milk then fill with water to the 4 line.  Add 4 rice cups (about 3/4 cup each) of basmati rice and a 1/4 tsp of salt.  Cook on white rice setting.  Sometimes I will substitute half the rice with quinoa or red lentils.  If using quinoa, make sure it is rinsed really well to remove the bitter coating.

Here are suggestions to add to the rice, although it is delicious on its own.

Jamaican Rice Salad

2 cups cooked coconut basmati rice

1 ½ cups red kidney beans

3 green onions, chopped

½ cup shredded carrots (about 1 large)

1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

1 Tbs cilantro, chopped

1 tsp dried thyme

1 Tbs olive oil

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Huge pile of spinach

Place rice in a large serving bowl with beans, onions, carrots, jalapeno, cilantro and thyme.  Toss to mix.  Combine oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.  Drizzle over salad and serve over spinach.

Pagoda Rice Salad

2 cups cooked basmati rice (with coconut milk, optional)

4 chopped green onions 

4 cups loosely packed, chopped spinach

1 11-ounce can mandarin orange segments, drained

2 cups mung bean sprouts

1 8-ounce can sliced water chestnuts, drained (optional)

1/2 cup honey mustard salad dressing

1/2 cup avocado chunks

Place the rice in a large bowl. Add the green onions, mung bean sprouts and spinach. Mix well. Add the orange segments and water chestnuts. Toss gently to mix.

Mix dressing and soy sauce. Pour over salad. Stir in avocado. Cover and chill for 1 hour before serving.

Greek Rice

2 cups cooked basmati rice

1/2 onion, finely chopped

2 sticks celery, finely chopped

3 Tbs olive oil

2 cloves garlic, peeled and mashed

2 Tbs sesame seeds, toasted

2 Tbs pumpkin seeds, toasted

2 Tbs pine nuts, toasted

¼ cup freshly chopped mint

Grated rind and juice of 1 lemon

½ tsp dried oregano

Sea salt and pepper

Saute onions, celery, and garlic in olive oil until soft.  Mix together all ingredients and season to taste.

Breakfast Rice

1 cup cooked basmati rice

1 avocado, diced

1 cup diced tomato

Drizzle of olive oil

2 tsp of lemon juice

Sea salt to taste

Mix all together in a bowl and enjoy!  If you want additional seasoning, I like The Zip from Spice Hunter.

Island Rice Salad

2 cups cooked basmati rice

1 large carrot, shredded

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1/2 cup chopped celery

1 cup pineapple, diced or crushed

1 cup mandarin oranges

1/2 cup shredded coconut

3 tbs chopped fresh cilantro

2 tbs cashews or peanuts

Using the rice as a base, add whatever other ingredients you want.