Brown coconut rice

I know that many of you are waiting for this delicious recipe, Brown coconut rice is a typical dish from the coast of Colombia, also Panama and Venezuela. This dish reminds me some seasons in my childhood, there is nothing better than eat this rice with fresh fish at the beach under the caribbean sun. memorable good times :)

the authentic recipe is made with a coconut, but it takes long time to make it, Im gonna use coconut milk, available at asian stores, but try to get cream coconut milk, the result is better.

Brown coconut rice

For 4-6 people

1 1/2 cup coconut milk

2 cups rice

3 1/2 cups water

1 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons sugar

Ok, now we start adding a cup of coconut milk and stir with a spoon and set over high heat. Bring to a bubbling boil , keep your eyes on it!

Simmer coconut milk until the liquid has evaporated and the coconut solids separate from the oil. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until coconut solids are dark golden brown; this is my favorite part, because the coconut star to smell very sweet, this dark coconut is what in Colombia call it "titoté".

If you see that is dark enough, reduce the heat to low the and add the rice...

...Stir in the rice. Add the water and half cup of coconut milk, Stir in the water, and add salt and sugar.

Bring water to a boil in higher heat until the coconut-water has been absorbed by the rice. This step takes about 15 minutes.

When the rice absorbs a big part of water(as it looks on the picture), immediately reduce heat to low, and cover tightly with a lid for 15 more minutes.

and now the rice is done!

Rice presentation

Now you know how to cook a white rice but a good presentation is important too, just follow these easy steps and you'll look like a pro-chef.

First, fill the cup with rice, try to push with the spoon.

"If you made only boiled rice(with no oil) you need to spread oil into the cup, thus in wont stick"


then use the dish to cover the cup

turn upside down...


and retire slowly the cup upright.
ok, now go and do it!

White rice, Cartagena style cooking

Some habits do not get lost, and the rice could be the top on my list. For me, rice is the best supplement in foods, is a meal that fits into almost every dish. Here in Spain is very common bread and is good, especially when you spread the sauce of the stews, but I prefer the rice :)

The typical way to do here is boiled rice is very healthy but I personally don like how it taste, but when is done for paella is delicious, the way I am going to share is more delicious and I'm sure you will give me the hehe reason.

First of all make sure you buy the right rice, when you say "rice" here in Spain, refer to a fatty grain, also called "round rice", it has more starch and is a bit sticky, the rice that I use is the typical used in Latin America, even in Portugal, the name here is "long grain rice" in spanish is "arroz largo", not basmati but its shape is similar.


ok fellas, time to cook!

White rice
well, what do we need?

For 2 persons and 1 unexpected guest
-Rice (long grain rice for people based in spain)
-1 tablespoon of salt
-1 garlic clove
-3 tablespoon of vegetable oil
-Water

Here we go!

In a hot pot add oil, then add the garlic, I get used to crush the garlic but do not chop it, I fry the garlic with the skin all in the oil, let it fry about 30 seconds by turning in the pot after you remove it, do not let most of the time because the Garlic flavor is very strong and affects the taste of rice.
Now add the rice and stir with the oil, this is for the rice absorbs the flavor.


"Adding a portion of rice is twice in water, I always use this cup from Ikea, with one and a half portion can eat 3 persons, if you do not have this cup try a coffee cup also works "

Ok, now add water and bring to boil and simmer over high heat. When the pot turns dry, cover it and simmer over very low heat during 10 minutes.
To check if the rice is ready, just take a grain and try. It should not be hard. and that`s all.

My favorite part is the rice fried in the bottom of the pot, you'll see a delicious fried crispy layer of rice; in my city is called "Cucayo" do not know why? but the best part, eat it!