Nigerian Coconut Rice
In short: Parboiled rice cooked in coconut milk with a tomato and pepper base, thyme and shrimp, creamy and lightly spicy with separate grains. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 520 kcal
Coconut rice is a favorite for weekends and parties in Nigeria, especially in the south. Parboiled rice cooks slowly in coconut milk and stock over a base of blended tomato, pepper and onion, so it comes out creamy, orange and gently spicy. Shrimp added near the end make it a full meal. Fresh coconut milk is traditional, but canned coconut milk works very well.
Instructions
- Blend the tomatoes, bell pepper, scotch bonnet and the chopped half of the onion until smooth. Simmer the purée in a saucepan for 10 minutes to cook off some of the water.
- Heat the oil in a wide heavy pot over medium heat. Fry the diced onion for 4 minutes until soft, then add the reduced purée and fry for 10 minutes, stirring, until thick and the oil separates.
- Stir in the curry powder, thyme, bay leaves, bouillon cube and salt. Pour in the coconut milk and stock and bring to a gentle boil.
- Add the rice, stir once and level the surface. Cover with foil and a tight lid and cook on the lowest heat for 25 minutes without stirring.
- Scatter the shrimp over the rice, cover again and cook for 5 more minutes, until the shrimp are pink and the rice is tender.
- Remove from the heat and rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork and serve.
Tips
- Fresh coconut milk gives a more aromatic pot. Blend 200 g (2 cups) grated coconut with 400 ml (1 2/3 cups) hot water, then strain it, squeezing hard.
- Use full-fat coconut milk and shake the can well. Light coconut milk makes the rice dry and thin in flavor.
Questions and answers
Why is my coconut rice sticky?
Too much liquid or stirring after the rice goes in are the usual causes. Keep the liquid level just above the rice and leave the lid on.
Can I make coconut rice without shrimp?
Yes. Leave them out or use fried fish, chicken or boiled eggs instead. Add a spoon of ground crayfish to the base for savory depth.
What goes well with coconut rice?
Fried plantain, grilled chicken and a simple salad of tomato, cucumber and onion. It is also good next to peppery fish stew.
How long does it take to make Nigerian Coconut Rice?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Nigerian Coconut Rice?
About 520 kcal per serving, with 18 g of protein, 70 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 520 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbohydrates | 70 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 640 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
