09 June 2012

FOODIE WEEKEND : Coconut flavored Steamed Rice

In my country Malaysia, coconut is widely used in everyday cooking especially in Malay dishes.  Back in the past, it was a normal thing for families to have their own coconut trees in their backyards among other trees like of banana, mango, papaya and guava.  Well, now things have changed and it is very rare to see coconut trees in someone's backyard especially if you live in a big city like Kuala Lumpur.  Your best bet to see coconut trees would be at the beach!


Anyway, this dish called 'Nasi Lemak' in the malay language (Nasi : Rice , Lemak : is the rich flavour produced by the coconut) is basically rice steamed in coconut milk.  Can you imagine the flavor? It is amazing, so amazing you can even eat it on its own!  


Rice is a staple in Malaysia.  In the Malay community especially, some still eat rice 3 times a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, something that I wouldn't do personally but that is the fact.  I think this is because originally in the past, Malays were mostly farmers or fishermen and doing these hard work they needed all the energy carbs could give, hence the rice 3 times a day!

This recipe is best cooked in the rice cooker.  You could cook it on the normal stove but seriously I am not an expert without my rice cooker *shame*


Nasi Lemak / Coconut flavored Steamed Rice

Ingredients (serves 4-6)
2 cups of basmati rice or jasmin rice. 
1 can of coconut milk
3 inches of ginger, roughly sliced
a pinch of salt
Pandan leaf optional (for fragrance)


Method
Wash the rice thoroughly and toss the final batch of water
Pour in the coconut milk and add in water until the rice is submerged.
Keep adding the water if needed until the water level is an inch above the surface of the rice.
Add in the salt and ginger and stir slowly to mix well.
Knot the pandan leaf and drop it in
Cook in the rice cooker until cooked.
Serve with fried chicken or Chicken in Chili and Tomato sauce.  Recipe coming soon!


18 comments:

  1. I LOVE coconut! I'm definitely going to have to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing.

    <3 Jenny
    www.crazystylelove.com

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  2. Awwww Mrs. C....I remember my native Philippines with these images! Love it!!

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  3. I love Malaysian food! I also love coconut rice. Thanks for sharing. It looks delicious! BTW, Glossybox is a monthly subscription ($15) for a box filled with beauty products. Do you guys have something like this in Dubai?

    xo Jo

    http://whiterosesandcoffee.blogspot.com/

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  4. Your food is making me craving for a Malaysian late night snack! Awesome recipe :)

    ang-closet365.blogspot.ca

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  5. What is the world coming to??? You can't do without your rice cooker and I can only cook rice on the stove top!
    But I will definitely try this recipe as the Hubby likes coconut! ...or I might give him the recipe and let him cook his own rice!! There! hahaha

    http://danaslookbook.blogspot.com/

    Dana

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    1. OMG, Dana.. bravo! Now I'm embarrassed ;)

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  6. ooooh looks great!


    x
    Angie
    http://www.sundaybelle.com/

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  7. Hi there! Thank you for visiting my blog. I've enjoyed scrolling through your posts, this dish looks amazing! And your last post with the purple jeans looked great. I've followed back and look forward to reading your next post.

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  8. I need to try this recipe. Born to Puerto Rican parents, I ate rice on a daily basis. I love rice, but I've never had it this way. I can't wait to try it!

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  9. I adore nasi lemak. I can't wait for your chicken recipe. Do hurry! I need to try this. I still drool when I think about the butternut squash risotto. It was incredible!

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    1. Good to hear that someone is actually waititng for the recipe coz most bloggers like outfit posts in general. I post recipe during the weekend when I normally cook, you know kids at home and all.. I promise you the chicken dish is TDF.. not sure if you are familiar with the name 'Ayam Masak Merah'.. anyway, soon! :)

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  10. I will try this for sure, I love coconut

    ...by the way, I love the name of your blog ,,,you know this is the title of a new song of Bruce Springsteen (!)
    anyway, I'm following now !
    xxx Ros.e.

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    1. Wow, really? Haven't been in touch with Brucy for a while.. eversince Born in the USA to be exact ;) Anyway, hope you'll like the rice :) and thanks for following!

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  11. I don't miss a post my friend, but for some reaon I have been unable to post anything using my iPad! I write but it doesn't seem to go through. I can't wait to try this. We just had beef randang and chicken curry this past week and I wish the post came a couple days sooner!. Maybe it would taste good with a stir fry type dish. Ooh can't wait!

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    1. Stir fry is good too BUT the perfect match is the chicken dish I am going to share the recipe here this weekend! Thanks for your support, girlfriend!

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    2. Can't wait! Do you buy your spices from Malaysia? If it is a particular brand you are using, let us knw o I can see if they have it at my local Asian market. I wish you were on Facebook, I post baking videos on there!

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    3. The spices like star anise, clove, cinnamon, cardamon ect I buy them in spice market here or at the local supermarket by grams.. no particular brand, loose product. But if you are thinking of curry powder and all, I use Malaysian brand called Baba's for fish curry powder and the rest I normally buy loose from the farmer's market back in Malaysia.. I have facebook page, is it the same? If you like it can I see your page? Not too good about all this

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