Caribbean Coconut Rice

Vegetarian Times http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/caribbean-coconut-rice/ This fragrant rice pilaf goes especially well with Indian, Asian, and Caribbean entrées. It’s so good and so simple, though, you’ll probably find yourself making it often to accompany weeknight meals.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 1/2 cup

Ingredients

• 2  teaspoons unsalted butter
• 2  teaspoons  minced fresh ginger
• 1  garlic cloves, minced or 1  teaspoon  minced garlic
• 1 (3 inch)  cinnamon sticks
• 1  cup  jasmine rice, rinsed and drained
• 3⁄4 cup light coconut milk
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  grated lime zest
• 1⁄8 teaspoon white pepper
• 1⁄4 cup  toasted shredded unsweetened coconut (optional)

Directions

1. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add ginger, garlic, and cinnamon stick, and sauté 1 minute, or until fragrant. Stir in rice, and sauté 2 minutes, or until rice grains are opaque. Add coconut milk, sugar, salt, lime zest, white pepper, and 3/4 cup water, and bring to a simmer. Stir once, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes. Fluff rice with fork, cover, and let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with toasted coconut, if using.