Coconut rice, a south-indian style mixed rice dish, made with fresh coconut, chiilies and rice. It is called Thengai saadam/saatham and a most commonly made lunch box recipe too.
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The Food
Thengai is the Tamil name for coconut. This mixed rice is easy and quick to make and takes less than 20 minutes , if you have cooked rice ready. And for the same reason, is an apt recipe for lunch box, during busy weekdays. And also a great brunch recipe for a relaxed weekend.
I makeThengai saadham, mostly for my husband's lunch box. I pack it with a dry subzi or a semi-gravy side-dish. Unlike Lemon rice, coconut rice is not prefered as travel food, as it is made of fresh coconut which might go stale after 6-8 hours.
Side dishes for Thengai Saadham
This mixed rice is a great dish to make during pooja as offering, especially during festivals like Navrathri and Chathurthi . These quick rice dishes come very handy.
More Lunch Box Recipes
How to make Coconut Rice
This mixed rice takes just 10 minutes if you have the rice ready. The rice should be nice and fluffy and separated. This will give you the mixed rice a wonderful texture.
i prefer to use coconut oil to make coconut rice, it gives a wonderful aroma to the variety rice. Try using fresh coconut and also be generous with crunchy elements in your tempering, as they add a great texture and flavor to the mixed rice.
Coconut Rice | Thengai Saadam | South-indian style
Ingredients
- 1&½ cups cooked rice
- ½ cup freshly grated coconut
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1-2 tablespoon broken cashew-nuts
- fresh coriander leaves for garnish chopped
- 2 pinches of freshly pounded coriander powder
Tempering
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds/kadugu
- 4-5 nos red chilies or 2-3 green chilies
- 1 teaspoon urad dal
- 1 teaspoon chana dal
- ⅛ teaspoon hing/asafoetida
- a sprig of curry leaf
Instructions
- Spread the rice on a plate and fluff it with a fork. If using leftover rice, then i would suggest steam it a little in the Microwave or on the stove-top.
- If you are planning to cook rice fresh, then rinse 1 cup of rice 3 or 4 times with water. Add 2 cups of fresh water, cook the rice on stove-top, once the rice is 90% done, strain the extra water completely and keep it covered for 10 minutes. If making in pressure cooker, cook for 3 whistles.
- In a wide pan, heat oil. Splutter mustard seeds, add hing and curry leaves. once the leaves turns crisp, add red chilies. saute for a minute, next add both the dals and fry until they turn light brown.
- Keep an eye after adding dals, they turn brown pretty quick, now add cashew nuts and saute for 30 seconds. Next add fresh coconut and fry for a minute or two. Take it off the stove
- Add the cooked rice to the coconut and mix well. Add salt mix well,. Add fresh coriander leaves to the rice.
- I sprinkle a pinch or two of freshly pounded coriander powder, that adds a great taste to the rice.
- Toss it once and serve warm with your favorite curry. Or pack it for the lunch box.
Disclaimer
I m not a Doctor or a Nutritionist The Nutrition information provided above comes from the plugin and is only an estimate.
Serve this delicious Thengai saadham with Beans subzi or cabbage subzi . I normally prefer mixed rice dishes with appalam/poppadam
If you have tried this recipe and like it, give it a star rating or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #icampinmmykitchen and tagging me @priyasrinivasan
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Unknown says
My favorite rice
priya says
I love the favors you added .. This is a must try coconut recipe.....
Rafeeda AR says
Delicious rice!
Kalyani says
thengai saadam is my weakness 🙂 with Morkozhambu its just heaven.. loved the clicks 🙂
Lata Lala says
Coconut always makes me go week on my knees. Your coconut rice looks amazing with beautiful blend of flavours. A must try recipe.
Bless my food by Payal says
I love anything having coconut. And these coconut rice are not just delicious only but very helpful recipe in case you have river in leftovers.
Pavani says
Such a simple and flavorful rice recipe. I am always looking for dishes to pack for lunches and this sounds just perfect.
Mayuri Patel says
I can have coconut rice on its own as I find it so flavorful. Such a easy rice dish to prepare and pretty versatile as it can be served with any curry, sambar or kadhi too.
Archana says
I Love coconut rice but not made it in ages now. You are reminding me that I have nothing planned for tomorrow! 😀 Love it Priya I am making this Thengai Saadam tomorrow. Thanks.
Archana says
I Love coconut rice but not made it in ages now. You are reminding me that I have nothing planned for tomorrow! 😀 Love it Priya I am making this Thengai Saadam tomorrow. Thanks!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
A must needed recipe for quick lunch or for neivedhyam. I make this every time I grate my batch of coconut. It just tastes amazing with fresh coconut.
Uma Srinivas says
Such a simple and flavorful rice recipe. We like this rice with daal and pickle.
Amrita Roy says
Aroma of freshly prepared coconut rice is irresistible. You reminded me my Chennai days.. beautifully explained recipe with lovely click
Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says
Absolutely love subtle flavours of coconut in rice, it makes so silky too. I must try south Indian flavours next time!
Padma Veeranki says
Simple yet delicious one pot meal...I love anything with coconut...perfect for any meal or neivedhyam for upcoming festivals!
sapana says
I love all those varieties of south Indian rice recipes. This coconut rice is one of my favorites from that list. Wonderful recipe Priya.
Lathiya says
Coconut rice is one of my favorite variety of rice. When I have a time constraints, I make this often with potato fry.