Caribbean Coconut Rice Pilaf Recipes

CARIBBEAN COCONUT RICE AND BEANS

Steps:

• Combine coconut milk, bay leaf (or garlic) if you're using it, and rice. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add some salt, lower heat to low and cover. Cook for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure it doesn't scorch.
• Uncover. Cook, stirring over low heat, until rice is tender and mixture is creamy, about 15 minutes. At about the 10-minute mark, stir in beans. If liquid evaporates before rice is done, stir in water (about 1/2 cup at a time), and cook until done.

COCONUT BASMATI RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Place rice in a large, nonstick pot. Cover rice with water and, with your hands, agitate the rice, releasing the starch. Pour off the cloudy water then repeat this process until the water is clear. Pour off the water a final time and drain rice in a colander.
• Place drained rice, 2 cups water, coconut milk, and salt in a large pot. Stir to combine. Bring to a fast boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover pot and simmer rice until just tender and liquid is absorbed, about 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a large nonstick skillet. Add onions, raisins, and cashews. Saute, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes.
• When liquid has been absorbed and rice is tender, fluff rice with a fork.
• Add onion mixture to rice and toss with a fork. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Transfer to a serving bowl.
• TO MAKE AHEAD: Rice can be chilled and refrigerated overnight. Microwave for 3 minutes or until heated through before serving.
• NOTE: Substitute dried cranberries or dried cherries for the raisins for a different flavor boost. Rehydrate them in 1/4-cup warm water and then drain them before using in this recipe.

CARIBBEAN COCONUT RICE

Steps:

• Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add ginger, garlic, and cinnamon stick, and sauté 1 minute, or until fragrant. Stir in rice, and sauté 2 minutes, or until rice grains are opaque. Add coconut milk, sugar, salt, lime zest, white pepper, and 3/4 cup water, and bring to a simmer. Stir once, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes. Fluff rice with fork, cover, and let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with toasted coconut, if using.

CARIBBEAN RICE

Steps:

• Bring broth and coconut milk to a boil in a medium-size pan over med-high heat; add in rice.
• Cover, decrease heat, and simmer 20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed; remove from heat and keep warm.
• Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over med-high heat; add in onion; stir/saute 5 minutes.
• Decrease heat to medium; add in squash; cook 8 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in thyme and remaining ingredients; cook 3 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
• Add rice to squash mixture, stirring to combine; serve.

CARIBBEAN-STYLE RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat; add onion and garlic and saute until softened, about 4 minutes.
• Add rice and stir to coat with butter. Add remaining ingredients, cover, and heat to boiling.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until all liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
• Serve hot or at room temperature.

SPICY COCONUT RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat oil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan.
• Add onion and jalapeno pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion starts to soften, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in rice and cook 1 minute.
• Add water or stock and salt.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove pan from heat.
• Toss in butter and coconut.
• Cover and steam 5 minutes longer.
• Fluff with a fork and serve.