Coconut Rice from Zanzibar

Transport your taste buds to the spice-laden shores of East Africa with this Coconut Rice from Zanzibar, a beautifully fragrant and creamy dish that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Made with fluffy basmati rice simmered in rich coconut milk and subtly spiced with optional cardamom and cinnamon, this recipe is a celebration of tropical flavors and aromatic simplicity. Perfect as a side dish for curries, grilled meats, or seafood, it pairs beautifully with both bold and delicate flavors. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, this one-pot dish is ideal for weeknight dinners yet impressive enough for special occasions. Dive into the authentic taste of Zanzibar with this easy-to-follow recipe that's fragrant, flavorful, and irresistibly satisfying.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Basmati rice
• 1.5 cups Coconut milk
• 1 cup Water
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 tablespoon Oil or butter
• 4 pods Cardamom pods (optional)
• 1 stick Cinnamon stick (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from getting sticky.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, heat the oil or butter over medium heat. If using, add the cardamom pods and cinnamon stick, and sauté for 1-2 minutes to release their aroma.

Step 3

Add the rinsed rice to the pan and stir gently for 1-2 minutes to coat the grains with oil and lightly toast them.

Step 4

Pour in the coconut milk, water, and salt. Stir gently to combine.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is fully absorbed.

Step 6

Turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. This helps the rice fluff up and set perfectly.

Step 7

Remove the cardamom pods and cinnamon stick, if used. Fluff the rice gently with a fork.

Step 8

Serve warm as a flavorful side dish or with your favorite curry or grilled meat.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1023.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	747.5

Total Fat 16.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2429.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 135.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.2g	0%
Total Sugars 25.5g
Protein 14.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 105.2mg	0%
Iron 6.3mg	0%
Potassium 483.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 19.9%

Protein: 7.7%

Carbs: 72.4%