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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Precisely pour the scalding liquid mixture over the prepared rice, using gentle circular motions to guarantee uniform distribution across the entire surface.
- Securely cover the baking pan with aluminum foil, creating a tight seal to trap moisture and steam during the 40-minute baking cycle.
- After removing the pan from the oven, carefully tilt it to verify complete liquid absorption and assess the rice’s consistency.
- Allow the baked rice to rest, maintaining the foil cover, for a precise 15-minute interval to ensure optimal texture and moisture distribution.
- Gently separate and fluff the cooked rice using a soft rubber spatula, creating light, airy grains.
- 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