Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Coconut Jasmine Rice



I am still away from my kitchen, visiting my family and not cooking much beyond spaghetti and tacos for the 5 kiddos that have been turning up at my parent's table each night. Five kids, as in: my girls, my nephews, and my only niece. My sisters are both teachers and need to turn in grades and hold parent-teacher conferences this week so I'm trying to help out by watching and feeding the babies (well sort of babies...ages: 5, 4, 2, 21 months, and 16 months). The furthest thing from my mind should be Thai food and the unique coconut jasmine rice that is served alongside my favorite curries at our local Thai restaurant. I'm pretty sure that I'd have to drive a bit from my current location to even find Thai food. Yet, that's what I'm thinking about. Hey, my cravings know not a geographical restriction. So tonight, I bring you this delicious coconut rice that tastes just like the restaurant version. This recipe came to me in my Facebook inbox from my friend Amber, all the way in sunny California, and was simply titled, "Yummy Rice". Thank you, Amber!

Here's what you need: jasmine rice, chicken broth, coconut milk (I used light), lemongrass and ginger (from a tube), and cilantro (I used fresh, but you could also use the kind from a tube, found in the produce section of your grocery store and eliminate chopping all together!)



If you've got a rice cooker, throw it all in together, stir it well, and cook until done. If don't have a rice cooker, bring the broth, coconut milk, ginger, lemongrass, and cilantro to a boil. Then add the rice and cover and cook according to the directions on the rice package.



I think that this cooked to perfection in about 15 minutes. For the record, the flavors in this rice were lost on my dear husband. He took a bite and asked, with a puzzled look, "What is that, orange?" You see, he's never been to my favorite Thai restaurant. He's never tasted the rice or the curry or the coconut soup. Remember when I wrote about how he orders Buffalo Chicken Pizza when I'm out of town? Well, I get Thai takeout when he's away. I guess our guilty take out pleasures soften the disadvantages of being apart. Absence makes the stomach grow rounder? Hmmm. My kids and I loved the rice. Probably because they've developed a taste for it. All of those take out dinners when daddy is away...



Coconut Jasmine Rice aka "Yummy Rice"

2 cups jasmine rice
1.5 cups chicken broth
1 cup coconut milk
1 tsp lemon grass paste
1 tsp cilantro blend paste or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tblsp ginger "mashed" or from the tube

Place all ingredients in a rice cooker and stir before cooking OR bring everything except for rice to a boil, then add rice. Cover and cook according to package directions.

Oh, you know what I just realized?! The Basil Chicken in Coconut-Curry Sauce that I made all the way back in February would be excellent over this rice. Give it a try and let me know what you think. : )

11 comments:

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

I love Jasmine rice so I know this would be wonderful and a breeze with the rice cooker. Glad you're having a good time with your family!

Coleens Recipes said...

What a great side dish!!

Palidor said...

That is absolutely YUM! A bowl of coconut rice is like a bowl of heaven. :-)

Donna-FFW said...

That sound so tasty, I know just what Id serve it with!

Katy ~ said...

This does sound very good! I can smell it from here. YUMMY

Julie said...

Sounds beautiful and yummy :)

theUngourmet said...

So cool! I had no idea that I could buy lemon grass this way. I am running out to look for it!

I love this rice!

Heather S-G said...

Yum, I love coconut rice, especially when made w/ Jasmine rice...sounds amazing :D

Reeni said...

I love this!! And it sounds like you have your hands full! Enjoy!

Ginger said...

I will take a batch of "YUMMY rice" right this very minute. You definitely have your hands full. I have had my nephew who can't be at school until his temperature goes away for 24 hours. . . Needless to say, I have caught up on my cartoons since they haven't been on in my house for many years! I have 17 and 21 year old sons!! Great blog post.

Unknown said...

Yes, I should just buy the big tube of lemon grass, but my frugal side just buys the Asian salad from Giant Eagle, the one with a little lemon grass packet in it to mix with the dressing, and I use that and serve the salad as my side.I cant wait to try this recipe!

Related Posts with Thumbnails