Coconut Turmeric Rice
Elevate your plate with this vibrant and tasty side of Turmeric Rice, also called Yellow Rice. Simmered in coconut milk and earthy aromatics, this is the perfect way to spice up your rice game.
I’m not a big fan of rice (these days), mainly because it’s what I mostly ate growing up.
But when I do cook rice, I like to spice things up from the average plain rice.
Anything but plain rice is a go for me.
And there are so many different ways to elevate cooking rice.
You can try my Pumpkin Rice or Rice and Peas recipe here.
They’re the perfect side dish for almost any meal.
Cooking rice shouldn’t be hard, and today, I’ll help you cook the best side of rice ever.
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a known spice that makes up the yellow color of curry.
Originating from the Eastern side of the world in countries such as India, Thailand, and tropical Asia, this plant has many purposes.
Turmeric has come a long way with its many uses dating back centuries in Asia as a clothing dye to folklore medicine and as a food coloring for many savory dishes.
There has also been research into the chemical compounds of turmeric called curcumin that carry health benefits such as being a natural anti-inflammatory and more.
I didn’t know much about turmeric other than it looked like the cousin of ginger, and it’s a basis in curry powder.
So, to know there’s so much more to this earthy spice is a real eye-opener.
Ingredients To Use
Yellow Rice ingredients are simple – you may even have them in your cupboard now.
- Turmeric Powder – freshly grated turmeric or store-bought powder works fine for this recipe.
- Long-grain rice – jasmine, basmati, or brown rice are also great options.
- Coconut Milk
- Onion
- Escallion
- Garlic
- Oil
- Salt
How To Make Turmeric Rice
Growing up, I’d see restaurants serve yellow rice and call it Spanish rice.
I’ve now learned that it is two different types of dishes.
This unique side dish was originally a South African dish.
It is a translation of the Afrikaans name geelrys, often served with an African dish called Bobotie.
Though this recipe isn’t exactly like geelrys, it does carry some similarities, such as using turmeric to give its earthy aromas and yellow color.
Directions:
- Heat oil in a medium pan. Saute onion and garlic for 1 minute.
- Add turmeric powder to the sauteed onion, then stir in coconut milk. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Wash rice and add to the pan. Stir and add water until it is halfway above the rice.
- Stir in escallion and salt to taste.
- Allow the rice to cook for 5-7 minutes. Once the water has evaporated from the top of the rice, cover it with a pot cover, then allow it to steam for 5 minutes.
- Rice should be soft and split. Remove it from the heat, fluff the rice with a fork, and cover it again. Allow to sit for 5 minutes.
- Serve as desired.
Serving Suggestions
This side dish is perfect with almost any dish, but the best suggestions include:
Tips For Making Turmeric Rice
This dish is super easy to make and is worth trying the next time you want to spice up your dinner.
- Adding chopped carrots can add color and flavor to your rice dish.
- You can also add thyme leaves, pumpkin chunks, and green peas for more color.
- You may substitute water for vegetable broth.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days.
You can also freeze your cooked rice in an airtight container for up to a month.
To reheat, simply add to a medium-sized pot on medium heat. Add water or vegetable broth to help with the process.
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~ TheShyFoodBlogger
Coconut Turmeric Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain rice
- ¾ cup coconut milk
- 1 tbsp turmeric powder
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 stalks escallion chopped
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 cup water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a medium pan. Saute onion and garlic for 1 minute.
- Add turmeric powder to the sauteed onion, then stir in coconut milk. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Wash rice and add to the pan. Stir and add water until it is halfway above the rice.
- Stir in escallion and salt to taste.
- Allow the rice to cook for 5-7 minutes. Once the water has evaporated from the top of the rice, cover it with a pot cover, then allow it to steam for 5 minutes.
- Rice should be soft and split. Remove it from the heat, fluff the rice with a fork, and cover it again. Allow to sit for 5 minutes.
- Serve as desired.
Notes
Notes For Making Turmeric Rice
- Adding chopped carrots can add color and flavor to your rice dish.
- You can also add thyme leaves, pumpkin chunks, and green peas for more color.
- You may substitute water for vegetable broth.
