Coconut Basmati Rice

This coconut basmati rice is more than just a simple side dish! It is aromatic, fluffy, creamy, delicious, and very easy to make!

Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine Indian, World Cuisine

Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Servings

Calories 500kcal

2 tablespoon coconut oil (ghee, or your favorite cooking oil)
2-3 cinnamon sticks
3-4 teaspoon cardamom pods (elaichi) (optional - see notes)
½ teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera) (optional - see notes)
1 small onion finely chopped
1 tablespoon ginger minced
2 cups aged basmati rice - properly cleaned to get rid of excess starch (use good quality rice such as Tilda
1 teaspoon salt
2-3 bay leaves
1½ cups water
1½ cups full-fat coconut milk (approximately 14oz or 400ml)
a handful of chopped coriander (cilantro) (optional - to garnish)

Heat coconut oil or ghee in a medium-sized but deep pot.
Add the onion, then mix to combine. Saute for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant and translucent.
Next add the cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, and cumin seeds and fry for about a minute, so they release their aroma.
Add ginger, stir, and saute briefly for approximately 30 seconds.
Next, add the basmati rice, salt, bay leaves, water, and coconut milk, then carefully stir to combine.
Cover, reduce the heat to a medium-low, and simmer until much of the liquid has evaporated.
Next, about five minutes before the end of the cooking time, reduce the heat further to a low and cook until all the liquid has evaporated, and the rice is fluffy and tender.
Once cooked, transfer the basmati rice onto plates, garnish with chopped coriander (cilantro), then serve.

We use the cardamom pods and cumin to infuse flavors into the rice, but these are optional. You can also use sliced green chilies, or aromatics like fennel seeds, mace, cloves, curry leaves and cilantro (coriander) to infuse flavor.
I sometimes like to gently fluff the rice with a fork to help further separate the grains, before serving. This is however not necessary if you are using good-quality basmati rice.