Indonesian Coconut Rice

This way of cooking rice is very popular throughout the whole of South-east Asia. Coconut rice goes particularly well with fish, chicken and pork. Recipe serves 4-6.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups Thai fragrant rice
14 fl oz (400 ml) can coconut milk
1 1/4 cups water
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
2 inch (5 cm) cinnamon stick
1 lemon grass stalk, bruised
1 bay leaf
Salt
Deep-fried onions, to garnish

Method:

1. Put the rice in a strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold water. Drain well, then put in a pan. Pour in the coconut milk and water. Add the coriander, cinnamon stick, lemon grass and bay leaf. Season with salt. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat, cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes.
2. Lift the lid and check that all the liquid has been absorbed, then fork the rice through carefully, removing the cinnamon stick, lemon grass and bay leaf.
3. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and continue to cook over the lowest possible heat for 3-5 minutes more.
4. Pile the rice on to a warm serving dish and serve garnished with the crisp, deep-fried onions.

Tip: When bringing the rice to the boil, stir it frequently to prevent it from settling on the bottom of the pan. Once the rice is nearly tender, continue to cook over a very low heat or just leave to stand for 5 minutes. The important thing is to cover the pan tightly.