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Coconut Pilau Rice

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We recently shared a delicious Basa Fish Curry with you, which was undoubtedly a huge hit. In the Fish Curry picture, we gave a sneak peek of our favourite, Coconut Pilau Rice. It is the ultimate side dish to so many meals.

Coconut Pilau Rice with chopped coriander and coconut sprinkled ontop in a black serving dish

What is Pilau rice?

Pilau rice in basic terms is rice cooked in stock with added herbs/spices and other ingredients, such as meats or vegetables.


In this example of a pilau, we have added onion, turmeric, cumin, vegetable stock and curry leaves to basmati rice and the star ingredient is desiccated coconut. Pilau is also similar to Pilaf rice.

See our step by step slide show on how we made our Coconut Pilau Rice, full ingredients and instructions are found on the card below.

Tumeric Health benefits?

Tumeric has many health benefits. It has anti-inflammatory properties, prevents cancers, treats arthritis, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer’s, helps control diabetes, improves skin health. Promotes weight loss, improves digestion & boosts the immune system.

How to make Coconut Pilau?

So without further ado let me give you a step by step guide to making this Coconut Pilau rice.

  • Chopped onion with olive oil cooking in a silver pot
  • Chopped onion,Tumeric, Cumin and olive oil cooking in a silver pot

Start by frying off a small onion with cumin and Tumeric in a deep lidded pan for 5 minutes, onion should be soft and well coloured from the Tumeric.

Next, add the rice and stir for 1 minute whilst it absorbs the yellow colour from the spices.

  • Coconut Pilau Rice with coconut on top cooking in a silver pot
  • Coconut Pilau Rice with coconut and curry leaves on top cooking in a silver pot
  • Coconut Pilau Rice with a curry leaf on top cooking in a silver pot with vegetable stock being poured into the rice

Next, add your coconut, curry leaves (you can use bay leaves instead) and add your stock.

Bring to the boil, stir, then turn down to lowest heat setting, place lid on and simmer for 10 minutes.


Take off the heat (do not remove lid) leave to stand for 10 minutes or until ready to serve.

Coconut Pilau Rice with a curry leaf on top cooking in a silver pot

Finally, remove curry leaves & use a fork to fluff up the rice.

What makes rice yellow?

Tumeric gives a lovely yellow colour to rice! This is what the Indian restaurants use to give there rice a particularly vibrant glow.

Coconut Pilau Rice with chopped coriander and coconut sprinkled ontop in a black serving dish

Sprinkle with some more coconut and coriander leaves before serving.

We used Crazy Jacks Desiccated Coconut as it is unquestionably the best! Organic Coconut, with no Added Sulphites. Gluten Free, Vegetarian & Vegan friendly. They do a great selection of other Organic fruits, seeds, nuts & grains too.

What to serve pilau with?

Besides the Basa Fish Curry, here are a few of our recent dishes you can serve up with this rice.

Sea Bream with Garlic & Chilli
Mozzarella Crispy Chicken
Sizzling Spicy Pork
Easy Peanut Chicken Curry
Homemade Lamb Curry

Coconut Pilau Rice with chopped coriander and coconut sprinkled ontop in a black serving dish

Coconut Pilau Rice

Coconut Pilau Rice is the ultimate Indian side dish. Simply add onion, turmeric, cumin, vegetable stock and curry leaves to basmati rice with the star ingredient coconut. Follow our easy recipe to make the best yellow pilaf rice.
5 from 5 votes
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Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 18 mins
Resting time 10 mins
Total Time 33 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 people
Calories 286 kcal

Equipment

Cooking pot with Glass lid
Scales

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 250 g (1 ⅓ Cup) Basmati Rice (optional but I find soaking rice in cold water for 20 mins, makes end result of rice more fluffy)
  • 1 Onion
  • 1 tsp Turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp Ground cumin
  • 480 ml (2 cup) Vegetable stock (I used 2 stock cubes)
  • 2 Curry Leaves Or Bay leaves
  • 2 tbsp Desiccated Coconut
  • Sprinkle of salt to taste
  • coriander leaves (optional) to serve

Instructions
 

  • Fry off a small onion with Cumin and Tumeric in a deep lidded pan for 5 minutes. The onion should be soft and well coloured from the Tumeric.
    Chopped onion,Tumeric, Cumin and olive oil cooking in a silver pot
  • Next, add the rice and stir for 1 minute until it absorbs the colour from the onion and spices.
    Coconut Pilau Rice with coconut on top cooking in a silver pot
  • Add your coconut, curry leaves and stock. Bring to the boil, stir, then turn down to lowest heat setting, place lid on and simmer 10 minutes.
    .
    Coconut Pilau Rice with coconut and curry leaves on top cooking in a silver pot
  • Take off the heat (do not remove lid) leave to stand for 10 minutes or until ready to serve.
    Coconut Pilau Rice with a curry leaf on top cooking in a silver pot with vegetable stock being poured into the rice
  • Remove curry leaves and fluff it up with a fork.
    Coconut Pilau Rice with a curry leaf on top cooking in a silver pot
  • Serve with and an extra sprinkle of coconut and some fresh coriander (optional)
    Coconut Pilau Rice with chopped coriander and coconut sprinkled ontop in a black serving dish

Nutrition

Calories: 286kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 486mgPotassium: 135mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 275IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Asian, coconut rice, flavoured rice, indian rice, Onion rice, pilaf rice, pilau rice, yellow rice
Tried this recipe? Share an image on Facebook / Instagram / PinterestPlease mention @flawlessfooduk or tag #flawlessfooduk!

How long can you keep leftover rice for?

Do not leave cooked rice out at room temperature for long periods of time. After cooling, make sure to keep it in an airtight container in the fridge to avoid it spoiling. It will last 3 days in the fridge.

How to reheat rice?

We reheat out leftover rice in the microwave. Place the desired amount in a bowl, add a splash of water, use a fork to separate grains and heat for 2 minutes per serving. Stir and check it is piping hot throughout.

Collage of pictures of how we made our Coconut Pilau Rice

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Kay

      Hi Amber
      Thank you for your comment, we love the flavour of coconut rice, just gives it extra flavour with your curry
      Hope you enjoy this recipe!!

      Reply

    • Kay

      Hi Marie
      Curried scallops sound amazing, will have to give that a try
      Hope you enjoy this recipe!!

      Reply

    • Kay

      Hi Fatima
      We don’t leave our rice longer than 3 days, details like this are good to share in a blog with people just in case they don’t know!!
      Hope you enjoy this recipe 🙂

      Reply

    • Kay

      Hi Krysten
      Thank you for your comment:)
      Glad you like the recipe and I hope you enjoy this rice as much as we do!!

      Reply

  10. Holly Hood

    5 stars
    I love the health benefits of tumeric and I cook with it a lot. Coconut Pilau looks delish and it looks like a simple recipe to make. I will be giving it a try.

    Reply

  12. Amila

    This coconut pilau rice looks so delicious.In Sri Lankan food we have different rice recipes because rice is our staple food.This pilau is a great idea for our meal.

    Reply

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Many thanks,
Kay & Luke
Flawless Food

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