Vegetable Coconut Rice

Vegetable coconut rice…I had just made some Pina Colada for myself and had quite a sizeable amount of coconut milk remaining. What to do with it, store it in the freezer long enough to assuage my conscience that I am not wasteful then throw it out or do something productive with it?

Am I glad my lazy bones didn’t get the better of me. This coconut rice is rich, flavourful and sensuous. Very easy to put together. 

It borrows from Chinese fried rice, also from Nigerian coconut rice.

To Prepare Vegetable Coconut Rice

For Stirfry
500g beef
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 egg white
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onions, chopped
2 medium carrots (1 cup)
1/4 cup raisins
2 teaspoons grated ginger root
2 teaspoons white pepper
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 spring onions

For rice
2 1/2 cups rice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
400 ml coconut milk (1 can)
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 scotch bonnet
1 teaspoon dry thyme
1 bayleaf
1 teaspoon butter
2 teaspoons salt

Wash rice in several changes of water till water runs clear. Drain rice very well in a sieve.

Shred beef thinly,  sprinkle salt and sugar, stir and set aside. Chop onions and carrots, and grate ginger.

In a dry pot over medium high heat, put vegetable oil. When hot, add rice.

Fry rice till it starts looking transparent about 3-5 minutes.

Pour in coconut milk, add garlic, whole scotch bonnet, thyme, bay leaf, butter, and salt. Stir, cover and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat and cook until rice is tender. Incase the rice is not ready and is drying out, add a little water.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, wok, or pot, over medium heat, put 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. When hot, add shredded beef.

Stir-fry beef till softened. Remove to a plate.

Throw in onions and carrots, fry till onions has softened.

Add raisins and ginger, continue frying.

Add white pepper, soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of water, stir.

Dump rice into the sauce and fry, add meat and spring onions.

Fry until dry about 5 minutes, taste for seasoning and adjust.

Serve steaming hot with sauteed green beans and cucumber slices.

Notes

• Adding 1 teaspoon sugar to the shredded meat, will give it a beautiful caramelised colour.
• Egg white added to the shredded beef will help tenderise it so it fries up soft.
• If using dry ginger, add to the soy sauce.
• Dark soy sauce can be used, use 1 tablespoon. The coconut rice will be considerably darker and the taste bolder.

Did you enjoy this vegetable coconut rice? Let us know in the comments below.

You will also enjoy my other Nigerian coconut rice, Basic Chinese stir fry rice, Coconut curry sauce and Nigerian fried rice.

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