Coconut Rice / Thengai Sadam / Kobbari Annam

One of the simplest, tastiest mixed rice we like is the coconut rice. With fresh coconut flakes and fried groundnuts, cashewnuts, its taste is heavenly.  Fresh coconut is rich in protein, destroys intestinal parasites that we get from eating infected food, good for kidney and urinary bladder problems, prevents goiter ( non toxic thyroid ) because of its organic iodine content. So, each and every mixed rice contains its unique health benefits. With a good side of Aviyal or potato fry, bindi fry or any fry, it makes a full meal. As its not too spicy, my kids love this coconut rice even without a side.

Ingredients

Sona Masoori Rice / Basmati Rice - 1.5 Cups ( I used Adora Basmati Rice )

Fresh Coconut Flakes or frozen coconut - 1 cup

Salt - To Taste

For Tempering

Olive Oil - 2 tbsp

Hing / Asafoetida - 1 tsp

Mustard Seeds - 2 tsp

Jeera - 1 tsp

Urad Dal / Ulutham Paruppu / Mina Pappu - 1 tbsp

Channa Dal / Kadalai paruppu / Senaga Pappu - 1 tbsp

Raw groundnuts - 1 Handful

Cashew Nuts - 2 tbsp ( optional )

Curry Leaves - 1 stem ( if you have , i don't have!!)

Dry Red Chillies - 3 or 4 medium ones

Green Chilly - 1 medium one

Grated Ginger - 1 tsp

Method

1. First wash the rice and cook it in a pressure cooker for 3 whistles and keep it aside. Let it cools down.
2. On the round bottomed big kadai, add oil first. When it gets heated, add mustard seeds, Hing, Jeera first.
3. When it sputters, add the dals, groundnuts and fry them carefully on medium heat so that they don't turn black.
4. After that, add dry red chillies, green chilly, grated ginger, curry leaves, cashew nuts into the kadai and fry them slightly.
5. After its all sauteed, switch off the flame. On the same vessel, add the cooked rice slowly from the pressure cooker and spread the rice uniformly in the round bottomed vessel.
6. After adding all the rice, keep its for 2 minutes openly.
7. Then, add 1 tbsp of salt and mix the rice with all the nuts, tadka nicely.
8. Finally add the fresh coconut to the rice and mix upside down.
9. Now the tasty coconut rice is ready to serve.

Tips

If you are making for potlucks or parties, you can add more cashew nuts generously to the coconut rice which makes it so rich and yummy.

Don't overcook the rice as the coconut rice becomes pasty.

Try to add a dash of Hing / Asafoetida at the end and mix once again. It gives an excellent flavour to the coconut rice at the end and retains its good flavour definitely before serving.