Festive Rice

This pretty Thai dish is traditionally shaped into a cone and surrounded by a variety of accompaniments before being served. Recipe serves 8.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups Thai fragrant rice
4 tablespoons oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 onions, finely sliced
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
3 cups water
14 fl oz (400 ml) can coconut milk
1-2 lemon grass stalks, bruised
For the accompaniments:
Omelet strips
2 fresh red chilies, shredded
Cucumber chunks
Tomato wedges
Deep fried onions
Prawn crackers

Method:

1. Put the rice in a strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold water. Drain well.
2. Heat the oil in a frying pan which has a lid. Fry the garlic, onion and turmeric over a low heat for a few minutes, until the onions are softened but not browned. Add the rice and stir well so that each grain is coated in oil.
3. Pour in the water and coconut milk and add the lemon grass. Bring to the boil, stirring well. Cover the pan and cook gently for 12 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and lift the lid. Cover with a clean dish towel, replace the lid and leave to stand in a warm place for 15 minutes. Remove the lemon grass, mound the rice mixture in a cone on a serving platter and garnish with the accompaniments. Serve immediately.

Tip: Look out for fresh turmeric at Asian markets or food stores.