Friday, March 13, 2009

Brazilian Coconut Rice Recipe

In preparation for our trip to Brazil last year, we started to try to make AND eat as much Brazilian food as possible. We found one amazing Bossa Nova Brazilian restaurant in San Francisco that played live music and had tapas. Their classic Calpirinhas and the nut crusted goat cheese still makes my mouth water. I fell in love with the coconut rice and wanted to make it at home.
This coconut rice recipe has become a fast favorite side dish. When I went home to Los Angeles and made it for my family, my little sister asked me if it was a side dish or dessert. Now that's a compliment coming from an eleven year old.

INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon butter 
1 teaspoon brown sugar 
2 teaspoon of kosher salt 
2 cups jasmine rice, washed and drained well 
1 can of coconut milk 2 cups water 
1/2 a cup of chicken broth (hint: this gives the rice a wonderful flavor) 
*1/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes (optional)

DIRECTIONS: First drain jasmine rice in a strainer for 15 minutes. Place butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When butter is melted, add brown sugar and salt and stir until dissolved. Then turn heat to high, add rice and stir until all grains coated evenly. Add coconut milk, chicken broth and water. Stir occasionally to prevent grains from sticking to bottom. When boiling, immediately cover with tight fitting lid, turn heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes. (Remember to stir the rice occasionally or it will stick to the bottom.)

Remove saucepan from heat, but do not open lid. Let sit for 10 minutes. If you want to add coconut flakes while the rice is cooking, now toast them on a dry skillet over medium high heat. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Remove the flakes from the skillet as soon as coconut is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Put flakes over the rice. Coconut rice can be served with so many things. Such as chicken, steak, with pineapple or with a side of shrimp.

Maybe you can try this great and yummy recipe this weekend. Would you like our Brazilian shrimp recipe next? Email me at shhh.under.the.sheets@gmail.com to swap recipes.

23 comments:

Linda S. Socha said...

Laura
I really do not like to cook .HOWEVER, you make me think ....wow that would be easy. I think I will try that. This morning I am thinking of the Bosa Nova! Goodness, Gal you could inspire folks with a Laura cookboog
Linda

Mich said...

mmmmmmm sounds yummy!!!

rachaelgking said...

This will be PERFECT and easy on a weeknight next week! Thanks darlin.

Laura said...

Linda S. Socha: A cookbook would be fab. What a wonderful idea! Thank you for lovely comments.

Mich: I know right!

Lilu: Let me know how it turns out. Thanx sweetie.

Medicated and Motivated said...

I left you something on my blog.

Mike K said...

Laura this was so good on Saturday you should post that shrimp recipe too neighbor!

Laura said...

Medicated and Motivated: Thank you so much for the award. I'll try and write it up this weekend.

Mike K: Anytime. I am so glad you liked it.

Unknown said...

I lived in Brazil a couple of years ago and ate so much coconut rice..pao do queijo...and piamontese rice.....but never tried to make it at home!! thank you for the recipe...I will try to make at home!!
When are you going?? and where are you going??
Hope you have a beautiful weekend!

Laura said...

Sasha: Hi. We went to Brazil last August for 2 weeks and went to Buzios, Paraty and Rio. It was the most amazing place and I would move there in a second :) Have a great weekend as well.

Le laquet said...

Sounds delicious - bet it would be nice as a side dish to a curry ... kind of a peshwari naan without the naan and sultanas! **shake head sadly at self** I know what I mean honestly!!

I have some resipes I can swap but they're not Brazilian :o)

carolina @ patagonia gifts said...

Oh Laura, this Brazilian recipe looks so delicious! I love rice and coconut, so it must be perfect for me. I should try it!
Loved your blog!
Have a wonderful weekend!
xx

Anonymous said...

oooh this looks delicious!!

Laura said...

Le laquet: Sounds so yummy and I would love to swap some recipes. You are my first offer? Have a great weekend.

Caroline: Love Your Blog as Well. Thank you so much for stopping by.

tanya: Thank You!

Anonymous said...

We will DEFINITELY be trying this recipe! It's up our alley!!

Debbie said...

I love coconut rice!

Simplicity said...

This is YUMMY!

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Michelle O'Grady said...

Thank you for the recipe! I made coconut rice last night, but didn't follow your recipe at first. Once I realized that I forgot to use the chicken broth, I wondered how to sweeten the rice. I came to your recipe and found brown sugar could do the trick. I added brown sugar and cinnamon and it was delicious. I added peas and blackened chicken to the dish. Husband loved it!

Great blog by the way, I'm following on Twitter.

@michelleogrady

Lauren Rose said...

Hi there! I was searching for Bossa Nova's coconut recipe because its the best I've ever had and I stumbled onto your blog!
I've been experimenting with several receipes and still have not quite gotten the flavor and creamy texture I'm looking for.
Where did you get your receipe from?
Also, what brand coconut milk do you use and do you use low-sodium or regular chicken broth?
Thanks so much!

Laura said...

Thank you for stopping by sweetie and I'm excited to help you. I get my coconut milk and regular chicken broth from Trader Joes. Its the chicken broth, jasmine rice and brown sugar that helps gets that creamy texture. This Brazilian coconut rice recipe is one of my favorites for sure! Let me know how it turns out...