Preparing Coconut Rice for lunch? Follow these 4 easy steps for best result

Coconut rice can be prepared as Jollof or white rice and stew

HEALTH BENEFITS

• Coconut milk offers high saturated fat that is much healthier than other saturated fat products, that is easily metabolized by the body.
• Coconut milk has anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties.
• The coconut saturated fat contains lauric acid, which is also found in mother’s breast milk and has been shown to promote brain development and bone health.

With Coconut Rice, there are variants. It can be prepared as Jollof Coconut Rice or White Rice with Coconut Stew.

Whichever one you pick, the INGREDIENTS to use are:

• Rice
• Coconut
• Meat, chicken, turkey or fish
• Fresh red pepper
• Carrot
• Peas
• Green pepper
• Crayfish
• Onions
• Salt and seasoning cubes

You can use the ingredients in the quantity you desire, then adjust later. Some people prefer a sprinkle of the vegetables (carrot, peas, green pepper, etc), others like the vegetables to dominate.

PREPARATION

NB: For Jollof Coconut Rice, you could steam then fry your choice of animal protein. And for White Rice and Coconut Stew, you boil the meat which will be used later in the stew preparation.

STEP 1

Parboil the rice and while it cooks, blend or grate the coconut to create a milky paste. Also wash and slice the onions, peas, carrot, fresh pepper, and green pepper.

(For Jollof, when the rice is half cooked, drain it into a sieve).

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STEP 2

Set your cooking pot on a heater, then pour in the coconut milk and meat stock. Add all your other ingredients and let the broth boil.

When it boils, add your rice and stir with a wooden spoon. Allow the rice cook till it is soft and dry, then your Jollof Coconut Rice is ready.

(For White rice and Coconut Stew, cook the white rice the conventional way till it is cooked.)

STEP 3

Pour oil in a saucepan, when it’s hot, throw in your onions. After about 30 seconds, the fresh and green peppers can go in. Carrots usually take longer to soften so they can go in with the peppers. Let them simmer for a few minutes.

STEP 4

The peas go in last since they easily get tender. They can cook for about a minute and the sauce is ready to serve with the white rice.

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Both variants can be served with fried or grilled beef, chicken, turkey, or fish.

It is worthy of note that Coconut Rice, unless well refrigerated or frozen, doesn’t remain wholesome like Jollof Rice or White Rice. It is best to cook the quantity that can be consumed without leftovers.

This recipe was brought to you by TEY Edibles Kitchen, your plug for healthy meals. Call us or send a Whatsapp message to 0702 536 3145. Follow us on social media @teyedibles.