Quick & Easy Michael Symon Coconut Rice Recipe – Tasty Delight

Michael Symon’s coconut rice transforms ordinary grains into a luxurious side dish that whispers tropical comfort.

Creamy textures meld with subtle sweetness, creating a memorable accompaniment that elevates any meal.

Fragrant kernels absorb rich coconut essence, promising an experience beyond simple starches.

Home cooks can easily master this technique with minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation.

Delicate nuances emerge through careful simmering, allowing each grain to become a miniature flavor vessel.

Professional chefs appreciate how this method balances simplicity with sophisticated taste profiles.

Unexpected dimensions unfold with each carefully crafted spoonful, turning an everyday staple into something extraordinary: prepare to be delighted.

Why Michael Symon’s Coconut Rice Is a Game Changer

• Unlock Creamy Tropical Comfort: This coconut rice delivers a luscious, smooth texture that transports your taste buds to a beachy paradise with every single bite.
• Master Foolproof Baking Technique: The oven-baked method eliminates guesswork, ensuring perfectly cooked rice without constant stovetop monitoring, making it ideal for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: With optional additions like pandan or kaffir leaves, you can easily elevate the basic recipe and create a personalized rice experience that matches your culinary mood.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Satisfaction: The straightforward process requires just a few simple steps, transforming basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality side dish in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or impressive weekend gatherings.

Essential Elements for Michael Symon’s Coconut Rice

• Long Grain White Rice: A classic choice for coconut rice, perfect for achieving a fluffy and tender texture.

• Coconut Milk: Provides rich, creamy flavor and moisture to the rice.
• Water: Helps balance the coconut milk and ensures proper rice cooking.

• Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to complement the coconut flavor.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste and balances the sweetness.
• Pandan or Kaffir Leaves (Optional): Offers an aromatic and traditional Southeast Asian touch to the rice.

• Toasted Coconut: Adds a delightful crunch and extra coconut flavor to the finished rice.

Steps to Cooking Michael Symon’s Coconut Rice

Step 1: Rinse Rice Thoroughly

Wash the rice under cool running water until the liquid becomes crystal clear, eliminating excess starch for perfect texture.

Step 2: Prepare Oven

Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F) or 180°C (356°F) for fan-assisted ovens, creating an ideal baking environment.

Step 3: Select Baking Dish

Choose a 20 cm square baking pan. Optional: Add aromatic pandan or kaffir leaves for enhanced flavor.

Step 4: Create Coconut Liquid Base

• 1 can coconut milk
• Water
• Sugar
• Salt

Heat the mixture until it reaches a rolling boil, stirring to completely dissolve sugar.

Step 5: Combine Rice and Liquid

Gently pour the hot liquid over the rice, ensuring even distribution. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.

Step 6: Bake Rice

Place the covered pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 40 minutes, allowing rice to absorb flavors and cook evenly.

Step 7: Rest and Settle

Remove from oven and check liquid absorption by tilting the pan. Let the rice rest, covered, for 15 minutes to achieve perfect moisture.

Step 8: Fluff and Garnish

Use a rubber spatula to gently separate and fluff the rice. Optional: Sprinkle toasted coconut on top for added crunch and tropical flavor.

Advice for Perfect Michael Symon Coconut Rice

• Sprinkle Toasted Coconut Magic: Crush fresh coconut flakes just before serving to maximize crunch and flavor intensity.
• Rest and Revive Technique: Allow cooked rice to sit covered for 10 minutes, helping grains absorb remaining moisture and become fluffy.
• Liquid Ratio Precision: Use exactly 1.25 cups of coconut milk per cup of rice to guarantee creamy, perfectly cooked results.
• Leaf Infusion Trick: Drop a single pandan or kaffir leaf during cooking to introduce subtle, aromatic complexity.
• Temperature Control Mastery: Start with medium-high heat, then immediately reduce to low simmer for even, consistent rice preparation.

How to Store Michael Symon’s Coconut Rice

• Freezer Preservation: Quickly transfer cooled coconut rice into freezer-safe containers with tight-sealing lids. Divide portions into meal-sized sections for convenient future reheating. Wrap containers in plastic wrap for extra protection against freezer burn and moisture loss.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Pack leftover coconut rice in glass or hard plastic containers with secure, airtight seals. Keep rice away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption. Place containers in the coolest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness and texture.
• Reheating Technique: Sprinkle a tablespoon of water over refrigerated or frozen rice before microwaving to restore moisture. Gently stir halfway through heating to distribute warmth evenly. Use low to medium power settings to prevent rice from becoming dry or rubbery.

Ways to Switch Up Michael Symon’s Coconut Rice

• Tropical Fusion Rice: Infuse the rice with diced mango and fresh pineapple chunks, creating a vibrant Caribbean-inspired side dish with sweet fruity notes.
• Spicy Coconut Rice Bowl: Add finely chopped red chili, ginger, and green onions to introduce a zesty kick and aromatic complexity to the original recipe.
• Herbal Coconut Rice Blend: Incorporate fresh cilantro, mint leaves, and a squeeze of lime juice for a refreshing Mediterranean-style interpretation that brightens the coconut base.
• Protein-Packed Coconut Rice: Mix in cooked shredded chicken or toasted cashews during the final fluffing stage, transforming the rice into a complete and satisfying meal with added protein and crunch.

Overall Thoughts on Michael Symon’s Coconut Rice

Coconut rice embodies culinary magic with Michael Symon’s masterful technique.

Fragrant pandan leaves whisper tropical secrets through each grain.

Delicate textures meld perfectly in this Southeast Asian-inspired side dish.

Home cooks can elevate meal experiences with this simple yet sophisticated recipe.

Precise measurements and careful baking techniques guarantee remarkable results every single time.

Hearty rice lovers: bookmark this recipe, share with friends who appreciate global cuisine, comment below with your tropical kitchen adventures!

Michael Symon Coconut Rice Recipe

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Silky coconut rice from Michael Symon brings tropical paradise to your plate with creamy texture and rich flavor. Caribbean-inspired grains offer a delightful side dish you cannot resist savoring alongside grilled meats or spicy seafood.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Starch Base:

• 2 cups jasmin rice

Liquid Ingredients:

• 400 milliliters (14 ounces) coconut milk, full fat or light
• 1 cup water

Flavor Enhancers:

• 5 teaspoons white sugar
• ½ teaspoon cooking / kosher salt
• 1 pandan leaves, knotted
• 2 kaffir lime leaves, crushed in hand
• 1 tablespoon desiccated coconut, toasted, to garnish

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Instructions

1. Meticulously cleanse the uncooked jasmine rice under cool running water, gently swirling and rinsing until the water becomes completely transparent, effectively eliminating excess surface starch.
2. Calibrate the oven temperature precisely to 200°C (392°F) or 180°C (356°F) for fan-assisted ovens, creating an ideal environment for the upcoming baking process.
3. Transfer the thoroughly rinsed rice into a clean 20-centimeter (8-inch) square baking pan, optionally incorporating aromatic pandan leaves or delicate kaffir lime leaves to enhance the flavor profile.
4. Combine full-fat coconut milk, filtered water, granulated sugar, and sea salt in a medium saucepan, heating the mixture over medium-high heat while continuously stirring to ensure complete sugar dissolution.
5. Precisely pour the scalding liquid mixture over the prepared rice, using gentle circular motions to guarantee uniform distribution across the entire surface.
6. Securely cover the baking pan with aluminum foil, creating a tight seal to trap moisture and steam during the 40-minute baking cycle.
7. After removing the pan from the oven, carefully tilt it to verify complete liquid absorption and assess the rice’s consistency.
8. Allow the baked rice to rest, maintaining the foil cover, for a precise 15-minute interval to ensure optimal texture and moisture distribution.
9. Gently separate and fluff the cooked rice using a soft rubber spatula, creating light, airy grains.
10. For a final gourmet touch, sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the surface, adding a delightful textural contrast and rich, nutty undertone.

Notes

• Toasted coconut transforms this dish from good to extraordinary, adding a nutty crunch and visual appeal.
• Resting period allows the rice to absorb remaining moisture, creating a tender and cohesive final texture.
• Experimenting with aromatic leaves like pandan or kaffir can elevate the entire flavor profile dramatically.
• Precise measurements of rice and liquid are the cornerstone of achieving a consistently perfect result.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg