Ingredients

• 1 cup - long grain rice
• 1 cup - coconut milk
• 1 tbsp - broken cashew bits
• 3 green chillies, slit
• 1 stalk curry leaves
• 1/2 tsp each of cumin and mustard seeds
• 1 tsp - urad dal
• 2 tbsp - grated fresh coconut
• 1 tbsp - coriander (chopped)
• 2 tbsp - oil
• salt to taste
• lemon juice to taste

How to Make Savory Coconut Rice

• Wash and soak rice in salted water for 30 minutes.
• Drain rice in colander, keep aside the water.
• Heat oil in a heavy saucepan.
• Add urad dal, mustard and cumin seeds, cashews, stir until they pop.
• Add chillies and curry leaves. Stir, add rice.
• Stir very gently, with a wide spatula, till oil coats rice evenly.
• Add coconut milk and 1.5 cups of the reserved water.
• Add salt, keeping in mind the water is already salted.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer covered.
• Stir occasionally. When 3/4 cooked, add lemon juice.
• Mix very gently. Simmer till done and all water evaporates.
• Add more water in between if the rice needs it.
• Garnish with coriander and coconut before serving.
• Serve hot with raita, kadhi or rasam.