Coconut rice facts for kids
Nasi liwet, a Javanese recipe of coconut rice, topped with chicken and omelette slices and thick coconut cream.
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| Region or state | Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, East Africa, South America, Central America, West Africa, Caribbean, Oceania |
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| Associated national cuisine | India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Myanmar, Thailand, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Kenya |
| Main ingredients | Rice, coconut |
| Other information | Kiribath |
Coconut rice is a yummy dish made by cooking white rice with coconut milk or coconut flakes. Since both coconuts and rice plants grow well in warm, tropical places, coconut rice is popular all over the world! You can find it in many cultures across the globe. It is eaten in places like the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa.
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Coconut Rice in Southeast Asia
Coconut rice is a big part of cooking in many Southeast Asian countries. Each country often has its own special way of making it.
Burma (Myanmar)
In Burmese cuisine, coconut rice is called ohn htamin. It's a special dish often eaten instead of plain white rice. To make it, rice is cooked with coconut milk, fried shallots, and salt. This gives the rice a rich and tasty flavor. Ohn htamin is usually eaten with different kinds of Burmese curries.
Indonesia
Cooking rice with coconut milk is very common in Indonesia. Different regions have created their own unique versions. Basic Indonesian coconut rice uses white rice, coconut milk, ginger, fenugreek seeds, lemongrass, and pandan leaves.
One of the most famous coconut rice dishes in Indonesia is nasi uduk from Jakarta. Other types include nasi gurih from Aceh and Javanese nasi liwet. Nasi kuning is similar but has turmeric added, which makes it yellow and gives it a different flavor. There are also thicker coconut rice dishes like burasa from Makassar and lemang, which is popular in Minangkabau.
Malaysia
Nasi lemak is the most popular coconut rice dish in Malaysia. It's made with coconut milk and pandan leaves. This dish is so loved that it's considered the national dish of Malaysia.
Thailand
In Thai cuisine, sweet coconut rice is a very popular dessert or snack. It's made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, sugar, salt, and water. A famous way to eat it is with slices of ripe mango and a bit more coconut cream on top. When mangoes are not in season, it can be eaten with other fruits or sweet dishes.
Other popular Thai coconut rice desserts include khao tom mat, which is sweet banana steamed inside sticky rice wrapped in a banana leaf. There's also khao lam, where the rice and coconut milk are steamed inside a piece of bamboo. Khao niao kaeo is a very sweet dessert with glutinous rice, coconut milk, and lots of sugar, often colored pink or green.
Coconut Rice in the Indian Subcontinent
Coconut rice is also a favorite in countries on the Indian subcontinent.
India
In India, coconut rice is well-known in the southern parts of the country. It's called kobbari annam in Telugu and kayi annam in Kannada. Indian coconut rice is usually made with basmati rice and has a light coconut flavor from coconut milk. It's often served with curries. Sometimes, it's made by cooking the rice separately and then mixing it with toasted coconut flakes and spices.
Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, coconut rice is often called "milk rice" or kiribath. It's a special dish served on important occasions and celebrations. It's usually eaten with lunu miris, a spicy onion sauce made with red chili, onions, tomato, lime, and salt.
Coconut Rice in Latin America
Many countries in Latin America also enjoy coconut rice, especially along their coasts.
Colombia and Panama
On the Caribbean coasts of Colombia and Panama, arroz con coco (which means "rice with coconut") is a common side dish, especially with fish. It's made by cooking white rice in coconut milk with shredded coconut, water, salt, and sometimes raisins and sugar.
Honduras
Along the Caribbean coast of Honduras, rice is traditionally cooked with coconut oil, coconut milk, garlic, onions, and red or black beans. This hearty dish is known as "rice and beans." It's very popular among people of African heritage, like the Garifuna people. It's now a popular dish for all Hondurans.
Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico, coconut rice is often served with fish and sweet plantains. The rice is cooked with coconut oil and salt, then shredded coconut and coconut milk are added. Sometimes, garlic, onions, cilantro, raisins, or kumquats are included. The rice is often covered with a banana leaf while it cooks.
Another popular coconut rice dish is arroz con dulce (coconut rice pudding). This is a dessert made with milk, coconut milk, coconut cream, raisins, vanilla, rum, sugar, ginger, and spices. Puerto Rican rice pudding is also liked in Colombia, Cuba, and Venezuela.
Coconut Rice in Africa
Coconut rice is also enjoyed in parts of Africa.
Nigeria
In Nigeria, coconut rice is made by cooking rice in the liquid from shredded coconut flesh. First, shredded coconut is soaked in hot water, and then the liquid (coconut "milk") is drained. This milk can be added to a tomato base, like the one used for jollof rice, or cooked on its own with the rice.
Coconut Rice in Oceania
Islands in Oceania also have their own versions of coconut rice.
Samoa
In Samoa, coconut rice is called Alaisa fa'apopo. It's made by cooking white rice in coconut milk. A different version, called Koko alaisa, has cocoa and orange leaves added. This is often eaten as a snack or dessert. Coconut rice is usually eaten by itself or with other dishes like Moa fa'asaina.
See also
In Spanish: Arroz con coco para niños
