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Coconut-Sesame Rice is savory, subtly sweet, and full of nutty flavor.
Would you believe I absolutely hated rice as a kid?
I attribute this to the fact that my mom served what she called “Mushroom and Wine Rice” to my sister and I the first time we remember ever having rice. Although I think it sounds delicious now, this is not something your average five-year-old will generally devour; needless to say, I grew up thinking I hated rice.
Later I learned that rice can be eaten plain or flavored with anything you like, it’s super versatile (think about a creamy risotto, rice pudding, or fluffy pilaf), and it isn’t scary at all to make once you get the hang of it. Let me stress that last point once again – you too can master making the perfect pot of rice! Don’t let it intimidate you.
I’ve found that almost everyone has their own way of making rice. In my rice cooking method, I first soak the rice, drain it, and then toast the rice along with spices until it’s fragrantly nutty. To accentuate the nutty flavor, to this recipe I add toasted sesame seeds and toasted coconut, which is a fun twist on a classic pot of rice.
You’re probably wondering what would go well with this rice. I’m glad you asked…
- Chicken Kebabs and Nectarine Salsa from Cooking Light
- Honey-Soy Glazed Salmon from Dashing Dish
- Coconut Curry Chicken from Can You Stay for Dinner?
- Sweet-Spicy Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry from Cooking Light
- Thai Peanut Coconut Curry Chicken from Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- Kung Pao Chicken from Cooking Light
- Honey, Lime, & Sriracha Chicken Skewers from Once Upon a Chef
- Slowcooker Sesame Chicken from What’s Marinating?
- Jerk-Style Chicken from Cooking Light
- Cabbage, Carrot, & Chicken Stir-Fry from An Edible Mosaic
- 2 cups (200 g) basmati rice
- 2½ tablespoons ghee (clarified butter), divided (or you can use a mix of butter and canola oil)
- 4 tablespoons (35 g) sesame seeds
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded, unsweetened coconut
- 1 small-medium onion, diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 pods cardamom, cracked open
- 2 whole cloves
- 2 teaspoons coarse salt (use less if you’re using fine salt)
- 2 cups (475 ml) boiling water
- Soak the rice in tepid water for 15 minutes; drain.
- While the rice is soaking, heat 2 tablespoons ghee in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the sesame seeds and toast 2 minutes, stirring frequently, then add the coconut and toast until light golden brown and fragrant, about 30 seconds more, stirring constantly. Once toasted, immediately transfer the sesame seed/coconut mixture to a bowl so it stops cooking.
- Put half a kettle of water on to boil.
- Add the remaining ½ tablespoon ghee in the same saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened and just starting to brown in places, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the bay leaf, cardamom pods, cloves, and drained rice and cook until fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the salt and boiling water and let it come up to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Give the rice a stir, cover the saucepan, turn heat down to very low, and cook until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed, about 10 to 12 minutes. Try not to open the lid during this time, but you can open it to add a splash of water as necessary if the rice is too dry (the weather plays a big part in cooking rice).
- Once cooked, turn off the heat and let the rice sit (covered) for 15 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
- Once fluffed, toss in the toasted sesame seed/coconut mixture and serve.
I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
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I can eat rice all day long but mostly prepare it steamed. Your coconut-sesame variation would be a treat!
My kids adore rice, and now that they have embraced flavor, they are really enjoying rice beyond the plain white. I can see this one as a staple in our future!!! This could go on to be an all time favorite recipe!!
Hey there Faith Daaahling,
Its me, Heavenly. I’m back to blogging again and looking up some of my favorite bloggers (and of course you are one). Beautiful rice dish. Coconut and sesame are two of my favorite flavours, but I never would hve though to pair them. I love the ingredients you’ve used here. I know this has got to be good.
*kisses* Heavenly
Oh my, this rice sounds incredible Faith!
Any thing would go well with that rice it looks so good
I love coconut rice, this looks really good. I know how good it must be.
It was a staple growing up, loved it then in biryanis and love it now any way.
love the flavours ocmbination here, I must admit I usually cook rice the plain and boring way, and this flavour is enticing!
I love coconut rice, this looks so good!
delicioussssss – while growing up,I hated rice because thats all we ate but now I really like, esp the Basmati kind :)
Crazy how your tastes change over time. I used to hate beans and peas and now I LOVE both. This rice sounds delicious
As a Chinese American, of course we ate lots of rice growing up and I still make rice several times a week for my own family. Love how you toasted the rice with spices – your coconut sesame rice sounds fantastic!
This looks lovely! I bet the coconut and sesame in here is fabulous!
A certain boyfriend of mine THINKS he doesn’t like rice but I think that’s because his mom always prepared it with little to no flavor! I love the coconut and sesame infusion here!
Lipsmackingly good, I’m sure! This rice is awesome.
Cheers,
Rosa